84 days, 140 hours of training, 8lbs of protein powder, 70 gallons of water, frequent mood swings, dozens of “no, thank you’s” to food…. it all comes down to just 5 minutes on a stage in front of four strangers who will tell you if you are good enough or not.  Sound like fun?  That’s the sport of figure for you!

But that is the beauty of any sport - it takes extreme measures to make the end reward that much more sweet.  But what happens when the end result is the last thing you expected?  When the end result basically makes all of your work, sacrifice, and perseverance look like it was all for naught? I’ll tell you what happens - you keep going!

In this week’s Made Fit TV episode, I experience first-hand one of the biggest disappointments of my journey as a competitive figure athlete.  In my quest to achieve a qualifying spot for a national competition, I fall short.  As a result, I am forced to face the reality that although my goal was not reached, maybe the experience of the journey and how I handled the disappointment was the goal that really mattered all along.

I just want to say thank you to all the fans of Made Fit TV who give me support and strength. Without you, the day would have felt very lonely. Knowing that I can come back to you guys every Wednesday and Saturday morning is what keeps me going!

Keep pushing. Don’t stop. Never give up. In the great words of John Locke: “Don’t tell me what I can’t do!”

~Jenny DiDonato

Thank you to the talented people who gave a special touch to my competition day!

Elizabeth Henderson (Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist)

http://www.facebook.com/elizabeth8881

Bryan Francis (Photographer)

www.francisphotography.zenfolio.com

The world of supplements can be an intimidating and confusing one.  Out of all of the supplements on the market today, the majority of them are not even scientifically confirmed to do what they claim to do.  Then there’s the question of which ones are safe and for what purpose.  After endless emails on this topic, I decided to break down the basic information on what some common supplements are and if they are right for you.

This weekend I attended and shot my video from the Redford Theater in Detroit for the NPC Novice Michigan Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness, and Bikini Championships.  Obviously, the use of supplements are huge in the sport, so I thought it would be appropriate to make it the topic of this episode.  Check out the video for a basic crash course of what some of the popular supplements are and my opinions on them, and then you can judge for yourself.

**If you would like a chance to win a Made Fit towel, check out the video above to see how you can!!**

A health and fitness program involves the basic cardiovascular exercise, strength and resistance training, and balanced nutrition.  But in the middle of it all, one important part can easily be skipped over, which could potentially effect program results for the worse.  It’s flexibility!

I get many emails and comments regarding the topics of injuries, recovery, and stretching.  Flexibility training is very important in tackling these issues.  In this week’s Made Fit TV episode, I show you stretching movements that target the entire body using a towel so you can get in a good stretch at the gym or at home!

I have a new love… of a protein shake, of course!  Thanks to Kasey from South Bend, Indiana, I have been introduced to a new protein brand and flavor of shake that is a great mix-up from the usual vanilla or chocolate protein shake.

In this week’s Made Fit TV episode, we demonstrate how to make the winning protein shake recipe from our giveaway contest in Episode 84, “Delicious Protein Shake Recipes.” If you have not checked it out, take a look at all of the creative recipes in the comments section of Episode 84 here.  In addition to making Kasey’s recipe, we also put our own spin on it!

Kasey’s Fuzzy Navel Protein Shake

Ingredients: 1 scoop Syntrax brand Nectar Fuzzy Navel whey protein isolate, 1 packet sugar-free orange drink mix, water

1. Mix the protein powder and drink mix

2. Add in 8 - 20 oz water

3. Mix to desired consistency and enjoy!

Nutrition Info: 100 calories, 0g fat, 2g carbohydrates, 0g sugar, 23g protein

Made Fit Fuzzy Navel Protein Smoothie

Ingredients: 1 scoop Syntrax brand Nectar Fuzzy Navel whey protein isolate, 1/2 packet sugar-free orange drink mix, 2 tbsp fat-free orange sherbet, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, 4 oz skim milk, water, ice cubes

1. Combine 5 ice cubes, milk, 4oz water, vanilla, sherbet

2. Blend for 20 to 30 seconds until ice is somewhat crushed

3. Add in protein powder and and half a packet of the drink mix and blend for another minute or two, or until desired consistency and enjoy!

Nutrition Info: 170 calories, 0g fat, 15g carbohydrates, 13g sugar, 27g protein

Creativity is a huge part of making your health and fitness plan a success - same goes with your nutrition.  If you avoid healthier options for fear they will taste bland, your overall results will suffer.  You must understand that there is a way around it, and it doesn’t have to be complicated at all.  You just have to know how to modify your foods and what to replace to make your options healthier, yet still taste good.

It’s in times like these I am extra thankful for the Made Fit TV fans out there!  Your participation in my show inspires the recipes I provide on my podcasts.  This episode is no exception.  Diane from Texas has been joining me and Chris during our live podcasts every Saturday for over a year now and she has given us the basic idea for this week’s recipe: Healthy Deviled Eggs (or, “Angel”) Eggs!

Check out the video to learn how you can make this very simple, healthy, and yummy recipe!  It’s great for parties or for an everyday snack.  Plus, the comparison I provide in the video of the nutrition facts of the deviled eggs to the angel eggs is staggering!

Also, congratulations to our winner, Kasey from Indiana, of our protein shake recipe contest from Episode 84! It was a hard decision with all of the creative and delicious recipes you all provided us with.  You can see them all in the comments section of the episode “Delicious Protein Shake Recipes.” Chris and I appreciate all of your support and feedback and hope to get around to making all of the recipes eventually!