By: Louis And Maria
Olympia 2005 was the first time we both made the trek to the bustling city of Las Vegas to watch the biggest fitness show on earth.
We weren't planning on writing this article, but we learned so much from our experience together that we created 14 Fitness Tips on what we gathered from our first experience at the Olympia together.
This is a special account based on personal photos and stories on our road, as a fitness couple, to the Olympia.
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A Fitness Couple At The Olympia.
10:00pm, Wednesday, October 12, 2005
[ Louis ]
I am waiting for Maria to arrive in Phoenix airport. I haven't seen her in a week and I am dying to get some good loving from the woman of my dreams!
[ Maria ]
Baby don't be stupid! You're making people think you actually like me.
[ Louis ]
So Maria arrives and of course I end up in the wrong terminal somehow... we finally meet at baggage claim and I could see her smiling from afar, wearing one of my t-shirt designs!
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Maria In My T-Shirt Design.
[ Maria ]
As soon as I saw Louis I could not stop smiling... finally I just stopped in my tracks and made him walk towards me because the drama leading up to our embrace was soooo annoying!
[ Louis ]
Afterwards I took her to one of my favorite lounges, where we shared the first of many healthy meals we ate all weekend.
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Loungin' Around.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 1: When you are internally happy, you don't need an outside stimulant like the sugar or fat found in food to make you happier.
When you are filled with a good emotion, it provides a feeling of 'fullness' to your brain. At the lounge we chose red wine because of its healthy antioxidants and vegetables because it's rich in fiber and vitamins.
When you are happy, you don't need much stimulant found in an abundance of alcohol and sugar because the 'moment' already provides the happy chemicals in your brain. It also helps if you wear something that signifies something special to the significant other. |
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9:00am, Thursday, October 13, 2005
[ Louis ]
I woke Maria up so that we can go get a good workout in before we head for Vegas. We decided to hit up the local 24 Hour Fitness in Scottsdale since Maria just got me a membership there.
[ Maria ]
I work for 24 Hour Fitness Corporation and so I absolutely love being able to workout everywhere I go. We even used the membership in Vegas. So we hit the weights, I helped him on his barbell back row and demonstrated this really cool cable bicep curl exercise I love performing (the one you do while lying down).
Since I made him push hard, I decided to run hard, especially since I hate running, and I just made him do something he probably would not have done had I not pushed him.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 2: It takes some personal effort to make operations run smoothly, do research to find the gyms in the surrounding areas.
onvenience and affordability is always an issue... especially when traveling. Make sure that you locate all the gyms in your nearby area so that you have no excuses that won't allow you to train.
Utilize the internet, phonebooks and referrals to find the right place. Also, we find it best to get it done at the beginning of the day so your biggest priority is out of the way. |
|
[ Louis ]
Later we drove back - Maria locked the door before I could convince her to shower with me...
[ Maria ]
Louis don't be bad! Anyways, I was tired of him stealing all my shampoo... with all that hair and all.
[ Louis ]
Before we left I had to show Maria this huge super Wal-Mart because apparently they don't have cheap fortresses like that in San Francisco.
[ Maria ]
And we picked up a bunch of water, red wine, bars (my favorite right now is the low carb snickers bar because it has a lot of fiber, he loves the Pure Protein Smores brand) ...and we also picked up candles for our room.
[ Louis ]
Yeah, candles for some romantic evenings...
[ Maria ]
No, candles for the bathroom... after you've had a ton of sample protein shakes.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 3: If there is a Will, there is a Way to find Healthy Treats for the Road to Avoid the Fast Food Temptation.
There is always a restaurant, gas station or convenience store that has a protein bar, a salad or a chicken breast somewhere... you just got to find it.
Even on the road, it is important to consume a lot of water to keep you hydrated and consume balanced meals every 2-3 hours so that you don't become tempted to easily drive by a taco bell and grab a double decker.
Since you are sitting the majority of the day it is important to not overly consume just to 'wake' your body up from inactivity. |
|
[ Louis ]
It was hilarious because on the way there I got so lost. I was talking to my friend on the phone and I missed the exit to Vegas... and then I see a sign that says "Welcome to California" I told Maria that I think we drove too far out, and then she says...
[ Maria ]
"They're just playing with us babe, that's not a real sign. We're not in California." I couldn't believe it... I couldn't even believe I seriously thought that sign was a joke!
[ Louis ]
Well, after an hour detour, we snapped some shots at the Hoover dam and made it in by 9pm. As soon as we got there, I needed to make up the long trip to Maria so I took her out dancing at the Piano Bar in the New York, New York.
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The Piano Bar In The New York, New York.
[ Maria ]
That was so much fun. It was there where I became inspired to sign us up for dancing classes' sweety!
[ Louis ]
Fantastic! I always wanted to take dancing classes?
[ Maria ]
Afterwards we walked back to the hotel and stopped to take some funny shots with iron statues.
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Playing With The Horses.
[ Louis ]
Yeah, I loved the one of me humping the statue.
[ Maria ]
Honey you're sick.
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Louis, What Are You Doing To That Statue?!
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 4: Who wants to be in the gym on vacation? Find something fun to do outdoors.
It is important to remember that any movement is good movement. Dancing is a fun, recreational activity that most people enjoy doing. Find an activity that motivates your body to activate and enjoy the beauty of movement.
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Friday, October 14
[ Maria ]
So we woke up and found out the nearest 24 Hour Fitness, which was on Tropicana Ave. We went ahead and trained here. Louis worked on arms and I worked on cardio. It was cool to see a few Olympian attendees there... it's like we can spot each other from across the room. It was a great feeling of commraderie and community.
[ Louis ]
Afterwards, while Maria re-fueled with an iced coffee at a neighboring Starbucks, I got us a Quizno Turkey Sandwich and Chicken Salad to take back so that we can get ready really fast and head off to the Olympia.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 5: Like anything in life, your actions are all about TIMING.
There is an "anabolic window" after your workout... because your glycogen stores in your muscles are depleted and your body's metabolism is revved up from intense exercise, this is a time when you should pack in some carbs and protein to supply your body with what it needs to recover and perform. |
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[ Maria ]
After I forced Louis to eat double my intake (I have issues with women eating the same portion sizes as men), we drove to the "New Orleans Hotel" where we saw a line of people.
[ Louis ]
And then we realized that the convention was not held at that hotel, but at the Las Vegas Convention Center a few miles away... so we had to take a bus to the other location. That really dropped my 'planning pimp points' again.
[ Maria ]
Hahahaha. It was fun riding on the bus though! If we didn't ride the bus there, I would not have stood next to future Ms. Olympia 2005 and grab a picture with her on the way back to the hotel.
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Maria & Ms. Olympia, Yaxeni Oriquen.
[ Louis ]
So we finally got there and I had to talk to all my friends that I haven't seen since the Arnold. I saw my friends at the SciVation and PrimaForce booths... and then of course I visited the Bodybuilding.com booth where I saw Brenda Kelly, Christina Lindley, and Valentina Chepiga.
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The Bodybuilding.com Booth.
[ Maria ]
He talked to everyone! I left him a few times and came back and he was still talking! I don't even think he realized I was gone.
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Hanging At The Scivation / Primaforce Booth.
[ Louis ]
It's not my fault that Layne and Marc were arguing the effectiveness of Glutamine and I was in the middle of it. I kept telling them that I wanted to leave so we can go try out some new protein bars together.
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I Just Want Some Protein Bars!
[ Maria ]
Whhhhattteeevveeer! Anyways, so I saw my friend from good ol' Sacramento, IFBB Kris Dim. He is such an awesome Asian Representative and inspired me to get involved competitively in fitness.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 6: Make it a habit to seek people who have already reached the island you're sailing to.
In order to complete any fitness journey, you have to target the people that have already made the trek. When you are able to create 'role models' who inspire you to do what they have done, they give you the energy to perform better and believe that you can achieve your dreams. |
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Maria & Kris.
[ Louis ]
Then you made me take that picture with the Venom Girls wearing next to nothing.
[ Maria ]
Don't act like you didn't enjoy it Louis.
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Poor Louis.
[ Louis ]
Well you made up for it by taking a picture with that Frank Sepe character.
[ Maria ]
Girls, he is much more handsome in person.
I was so excited when I saw four-time Miss Olympia Kim Chizevsky, figure competitor Elaine Goodland, and Bikini America winner Jennifer Lee. They are so beautiful in person. Oh! And I recognized the Editor of my favorite fitness magazine, Oxygen, Kerri Lee Brown.
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Maria With Kim Chizevsky & Elaine Goodland.
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Jennifer Lee & Kerri Lee Brown.
[ Louis ]
I also had the opportunity to speak with Chuck Rudolph, the guy who designs my ultra-sexy diet. He also showed me photos of his new baby and gave me an update on Quincy Taylor's progress.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 7: Keep it Professional. There is so much fitness advice floating around in the internet, television, radio and media that it gets overwhelming and very difficult to find a plan that works for you.
It's such a great idea to travel to one of these shows to get first-hand advice from fitness professionals. |
|
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Louis With Chuck Rudolph.
[ Maria ]
After a ton of protein bars, we finally made our way back to the New Orleans hotel for the Fitness and Figure Olympia... and of course, the Wildcard Showdown.
[ Louis ]
I was excited to see David Henry compete to win a spot for the Olympia on Saturday. I got a chance to talk with him and share a bag of beef jerky at the NPC USA's a few months back.
[ Maria ]
I loved, loved, loved Jen Hendershott's routine. She got the crowd moving when she came out in her banana costume! And I really loved the physiques of my favorite figure competitors, Monica Brant and Jenny Lynn. I really thought that blind bodybuilder in the Wild Card Showdown was so inspirational, what was his name Louis?
[ Louis ]
His name is Greg Rando, He lost his vision by the time he started high school. He has achieved a huge level of success even though he is blind, it never stopped him from reaching the highest level of this sport.
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At The Orleans Arena.
[ Maria ]
We almost missed the results because we had to make a quick Subway run because we were getting so hungry! After a turkey sandwich and chicken wrap, we scurried back up to the convention center to witness Jen Hendershott win Fitness, Davina Medina win Figure and David Henry win the Wildcard.
[ Louis ]
After the results we headed back to our hotel so I could put on my dancing shoes and make our way to one of the bars in our hotel. It's always fun to dance off some of those extra calories! - Even though I just stand there while Maria makes me look good!
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Lookin' Good.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
[ Maria ]
The next day was very exhausting... from all the traveling, the people, the sugar alcohols, the alcohol...
[ Louis ]
Yep, you were snoring all night babe.
[ Maria ]
No I wasn't! The day was a little harder because I received a disturbing phone call that my cousin, Michael Greenway had abruptly passed away in a car accident.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 8: Use your body to its maximum potential each day, because you never know when your days are done.
Whenever you experience death, your psyche becomes 'awakened' because it makes you realize that your body is a temple, and how you train your body, fuel your body, and respect your body dictates how well your body will treat you.
As long as we are still living, we need to show reverence for life by treating our real vehicles in this life, our bodies, with respect. |
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[ Louis ]
We were scheduled to attend the Bodybuilding.com's Nutrition and Training Super-Seminar, because Dan Gastelu invited us to attend, but I obviously wanted to be close to Maria and not rush the morning. So I went for a walk around the hotel and looked around for something edible.
[ Maria ]
After we finally cleaned up we headed back to the Las Vegas convention center... this time we took a taxi. And one of the first people we saw was one of my favorite bodybuilders, Lee Priest.
[ Louis ]
Lee Priest is a man's man. He stands by his opinion and will not sell out by any means. We are going to remember him more for what he didn't do, than by what he could have done.
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Louis & Lee.
[ Maria ]
Then we ran into a couple friends. I congratulated fellow WNSO competitor and Bikini Universe 2004, short class winner, Yolanda Dixon, since she was there promoting the "Inspire" calendar and announced she was pregnant with her second child.
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Maria & Yolanda Dixon.
[ Louis ]
I also ran into a good friend of mine Laura Coleman. We chatted about a few random things and laughed about some funny moments in our past.
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Louis & Laura Coleman.
After seeing a ton of people, we made our way back to the hotel where Maria wanted to 'cuddle' and nap before we headed out again to watch the Mr. Olympia Finals.
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[ Maria ]
Babe you know between the two of us, you like 'cuddling' more... so after we took a few shots of vodka, we headed back to the show where I had to show Louis the way to our seats since his sense of direction is not nearly as accurate as his dirty innuendos.
[ Louis ]
Shush, anyways, so we got a chance to see all the shredded competitors on stage, it was amazing to see all these monsters in one place. Jay looked better then ever and in the back of my mind I thought it might be his year.
It was a very memorable show, it would have been nicer to have better seats to see them a little closer, but the big screens behind them gave us a great view from the nosebleed seats.
[ Maria ]
Looking at those dehydrated bodies made me hungry... thank God I brought some protein bars I stole earlier from the convention center plus a handy Bodybuilding.com water bottle that we constantly re-filled.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 9: Life is 95% Preparation. It is always important to 'be prepared' for any situation.
Maria is renowned to have nuts, protein powder and water bottles hidden in her car at all times. When you are prepared, there are no excuses as to why you can't 'perform'... whether that performance be eating healthy, eating at the right time, or just eating period. |
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[ Louis ]
I was a little disappointed at some of the results of the placing, especially George Farah placing before some of my favorites. After the show we went to dinner at "Fleur de Lys " for a nice romantic dinner. We then walked around and I spotted Gunter Schlierkamp, who looked pissed.
[ Maria ]
Maybe Gunter didn't look happy but his girlfriend was definitely hot. So after a delicious dinner, we walked through a couple clubs, drank some wine, and finally decided to head back to the hotel after a very, very long day.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 10: Utilize the Power of Competition to bring out your inner warrior.
These people were in amazing form. Their passion to be their very best and win provided them with the perfect energy they needed every time they didn't want to workout or eat disciplined.
It is helpful to create a competition, even if it's a competition to win against your best self, to see how far you can reach your body's potential. |
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Sunday, October 16, 2005
[ Maria ]
Sunday we woke up and wanted to workout but opted for a buffet instead. After all, how fun is life if you don't give yourself a little break once in a while?
[ Louis ]
We ate so much! We ate nachos, pasta... but we spent most of the time at the dessert aisle. Maria loves chocolate and unfortunately, I have a sweet spot for it too.
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Louis Satiates His Sweet Tooth.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 11: Training stops being fun if you aren't a little flexible.
If we didn't have a cheat meal once in a while, we won't only drive our minds crazy, but our bodies crazy as well. Studies have shown that it's good to 'shock' your body every so often, so that your metabolism becomes 'awakened' by new stimulus. |
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[ Maria ]
I wish we took a picture of us after lunch because we jumped the gates at the Luxor pool area and fell asleep in the sun on two pool lawn chairs.
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Louis, What Are You Doing To That Sphinx?!
[ Louis ]
That was hilarious! We were out. We weren't even guests there, but there was no way I was going to drive back without taking a nap.
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Maria Finds The Perfect Place For A Nap.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 12: The higher your blood sugar rises, the harder your body falls.
When a large amount of glucose enters the bloodstream called a "sugar spike", our system responds by releasing a high quantity of insulin (It thinks we've eaten a humongous amount of food).
The amount of insulin is so much that not only does it disperse the food-glucose we have just eaten, it disperses way more.
Result: our blood glucose falls much too low. So within a few hours the brain tells us to feel hungry and we start eating again. This is not good for our health or eating habits! |
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[ Maria ]
Finally we said good bye to Vegas and made sure to take the right highway on the way home. Since Louis trains so much, I thought it would be good to use his muscles in the real world and made him carry all the bags.
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Saying Goodbye To Vegas.
[ Louis ]
Everything went smoothly except for the traffic in the Hoover Dam area. That was killer!
[ Maria ]
That was driving me crazy too! I crave activity all the time so I made Louis perform jumping jacks, squats, lunges and plyometric frog jumps at each rest stop.
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At A Reststop.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 13: Just like peeing every hour, move your body for five minutes each hour by performing a small exercise routine.
Water keeps our bodies cool, lubricates our joints and flushes toxins out our bodies. Even performing a short burst of exercise can help you battle the bulge. Each speeds up your
metabolism
(which is the "process" that breaks food down and turns it into energy). |
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[ Maria ]
We finally made it home after hours, and hours of driving. Babe, I don't ever want to drive to Las Vegas from Phoenix ever again. You lied to me... you said it wouldn't take forever. Sitting in your jeep made me feel lethargic and fat.
[ Louis ]
Babe, I used to be 300 pounds, I know how it is to be fat... you're not fat.
| 14 GREAT TIPS |
| Tip 14: Make it a mission to make conscious, healthy choices in any road you travel in Life.
Whether you are on the road to losing weight, gaining muscle, a lasting marriage, or even the road to the Olympia... it is so important to keep your commitment to living a healthy lifestyle a priority.
Help yourself by being more conscious of the choices laid out before you when you have the opportunity to make both good and bad decisions to your road to success.
In order to secure a triumphant journey, it helps to keep yourself in both a successful mental environment, and a successful physical environment. Without both a powerful mind to create the will to stay disciplined during challenges, as well as supportive company to create an encouraging travel, the journey to fitness success would be very difficult. |
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Thanks for having fun with us.
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Thanks!
Author Bios
Louis Dorman is 25 years of age and is widely recognized as Bodybuilding.com's Transformation Expert and Spokesperson. He has lost an amazing 150 pounds and has worked as a personal trainer, fashion company owner, freelance writer and now creative art director for an international corporation. Join his web log fitness community at: www.louisdorman.com for more fitness support and inspiration.
Maria Kang is 24 years of age and has successfully competed in both beauty and fitness competitions since the age of 16. Her extensive fitness background expands a period of over six years as a personal trainer, group exercise director and instructor, membership sales counselor, fitness manager, freelance writer, and now project coordinator for 24 Hour Fitness Corporation. Visit Maria's site at: www.mariakang.com for some ass kicking motivation and thought provoking articles.
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