FIRST OF ALL: The other day at the gym I accidentally unplugged my headphones slightly, so I Was Made for Lovin’ You by KISS blasted out loud to everyone in the vicinity. Cool person cover: BLOWN.
In the interest of being kind to myself this year/this prep, I ordered an acupressure mat & pillow set and a lacrosse ball from Amazon to use for workout recovery purposes. Both are painful, both are wonderful.
The reason I got the lacrosse ball: a couple of years ago I had a pretty painful shoulder issue, and after much WebMD research, I figured out that it was probably because I had tight pectoral muscles. (Who really thinks to stretch their pecs regularly? I sure didn’t.) So I took a lacrosse ball and pressed/rolled it between my pec and a wall, and after maybe 30 minutes, my shoulder felt SO much better.
Then when I took my first progress pictures of this prep, I noticed that my left lat appears much smaller than my right one. It’s partially because it’s on my non-dominant side, but I thought that maybe with some massage via lacrosse ball rolling, I could release some of the fascia and help it grow a little better.
IT REALLY HURTS, but I will keep you posted on whether it helps correct the imbalance. To be competitive in bodybuilding, your proportions and symmetry have to be as close to perfect as you can get them!
Maybe don’t use the ball on your eye tho
I got the acupressure set because I saw Courtney post it on her Instagram and I was curious!
I really love how the pillow feels on my neck and on my lower back, so I sit with it in those places while I lay in bed before going to sleep. It makes my skin tomato red afterward, which is a sign of increased circulation.
Anywho, here’s this week’s progress comparison! Lighting is a little different but I think I’m a leeeeetle bit leaner already.
Catch the first post in my figure competition prep series here, and follow along with my pro figure competition journey with Instagram hashtag: #proprepdiaries!
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You look awesome! I’m curious about that acupressure mat now too.
Your post got me curious about that Accupressure mat as well.
wow!!! girrrrrl you are on fire! your body looks amazing! i want one of those mats too keep up the good work
You look amazing! I would love to try out this mat as I have been working out lately and get really sore.
You are looking great. I enjoy these posts and can’t wait to hear how your competition goes.
I have never heard of an accupuncture mat. I am going to look it up now.
Sounds like you are doing a great job girl! That mat looks super comfortable to use when you’re working out.
You look great! I wouldn’t mind trying out that mat with my lower back pain.
Looks like you are doing so much hard work on it. Best of luck
It has been interesting reading your journey as you prepare for competition. Your body is in amazing shape, but unlike other writers I encounter, you are not overly preachy and do not shame people who are not as far along the fitness journey as you are.
I’m not sure if this would work for me, I have chronic back pain so any more pain would be unbearable. I’ll have to think about it before making my decision.
These things sound like they might help my husband. He has lower back pain.
I would love to try out the acupressure mat & pillow set! It sounds absolutely wonderful and I bet it would help my back a little bit.
I wouldn’t mind trying the ball or the mat. I have major problems with tight muscles. This looks like it might help me.
hard work pays off and you look great! I need that mat in my life
Way to go! Awesome pictures and hard work! I really want to try out the acupressure mat for myself!
You look great in both of the pictures. I would love to try that mat, I work out at home and mine is 3 years old!
i love that mat. i have started back exercising on a regular basis after over a year. i broke my ankle in two places and it took me so long to get back to my normal self. it was a struggle mentally and physically.
I like the look of that mat, it might be very useful for both me and my husband to help sort out some niggling aches and pains.
You look great in both of the pictures. I just tried one of those mats over the holiday (one of our guests from out of town brought one in and I had to try it).
To be totally honest, I’m a little intimidated by it. I’d love to try one before I commit! Is it horribly painful?
It is painful for the first few seconds, but that sensation goes away and turns into a pleasant warm feeling.
That sounds like a cool mat… I need to check it out!!
I have been curious about those mats, keep us posted of what you think over time. I have never tried that ball thing to stretch my pec muscles, good to know!
That looks like a cool mat. I should check one out.
I would have loved to see the expression on everyone’s faces when your music blared out!! I have never heard of a mat like that. I must have a lot to learn!
Wow! You are starting to really look great. I need a lacrosse ball and will be checking your recommendations out
I actually would love to try that mat out. I have all sorts of aches and pains
That mat looks scary, but I bet its amazing! Great tip about the ball though, I bet it helps the pain a lot!
My new years resolution is to continue running every week. and to cut back on caffeine
Wow you look amazing !! And are doing great keep it up love it ! Laci
On my resolution list for 2016 is to get healthier. Exercise isn’t something I do routinely but really need to!
You look fantastic! I need your dedication – I only seem to get to the gym about 3 times a week.
I think 3x a week is fantastic! Keep it up 🙂
wow now don’t take this wrong but what a body
WOW! What dedication! Keep going at it – you look FABULOUS!
Wow! I am amazed how passionate you are when it comes to fitness. I wish I am as well.
You look amazing! Good luck with your competitions!
That mat sounds really nice. I’ll have to get one for myself. I need to start exercising a lot more. You look great too!
Wow you look amazing. I love reading your tips. You always make me feel motivated to get up and move.
Oooo this is a first for me hearing about a acupressure mat! I’m going to have to look into getting one for myself!
My hubby and I just built a home gym in our basement! Definitely adding this product to our gym!
Wow what a difference a week can make. I am curious about the accupressure mat. I am going to have to check this out.
Very interesting mat and sounds very useful. I need to start buying fitness products and get active again
I have that mat! I love it! I know how painful issues with your shoulder can be. I tore my rotator cuff. Not the same issue as you, but the pain was probably similar.
Looking at your pictures and bookmarking all of your workout posts are really getting me motivated to get up and do something. Thank you!
Love the Mat. Interesting acupressure never heard of it…Great for my back! Thanks for sharing.
I so need this mat. I am thinking it would be perfect to get the aches out of my back plus a good place to nap.
The acupressure pillow seems like a great tool that a majority of people who actively workout can benefit from using. Congrats on your progress.
I am glad that you found something that helps. Looks like you are really happy with these items.
I never even knew they made an acupressure mat. I hope find some relief with this combo!
Wow! You look amazing! I’ve never heard of acupressure mats before. They sound really interesting. I need to do a bit more research. Thanks for sharing!
I have circulation issues so an acupressure mat (which I had never heard of prior to this post) could be quite beneficial. I definitely see a slight change in your rib and side area, which is amazing for just one week!
You really look amazing. I hope you get some results with the lacrosse ball!
You are doing so great. That acupressure mat is really interesting.
Wow…do you look amazing!!! You just inspired me to get to my Body Combat class in the morning!
You look AMAZING!!! You are clearly working your butt off and it must be nice to have that accupressure mat.
I think I’d love an acupressure mat. I’ve never even heard of it until today! I get tension headaches and aches and pains every now and then.
Yes! It’s awesome to rest the back of your neck on while sitting in bed.
I have used a tennis ball for similar muscle and skeletal issues. I’m not familiar with lacrosse balls in terms of their texture. Will look into it!
You look incredible! You can tell you are working super hard, and it’s really paying off. Ive never seen or heard of an acupressure mat before, how cool!
That accupressure mat looks really interesting. I’d like to find out more about how it works. Keep up the good work, your dedication really shows.
That mat looks awesome! I think I will have to try that. You are looking great! You are really such an inspiration!
I have an accupressure mat and pillow and I love it for my tension headaches! It really is a helpful tool!
Holy cow woman, you look absolutely incredible! Sounds and looks like you’re working very hard 🙂 I absolutely love my acupressure mat; I need to break it out more often cause I forget I have it. Lol
I would love to try a acupressure mat. You look amazing. You are such an inspiration for me.
Your dedication is so inspiring. You are a winner no matter what happens in the competition!
oh, that’s what it’s for…good to know! I definitely can see the difference already. Keep it up!
You look amazing! I admire your dedication and the motivation you have to be fit. Dang I wish I have the kind of discipline that you have.
I need your dedication. Can I borrow a cup of motivation from you LOL. I’m trying to get in shape this year my goal is to look great by the summer.
You’re looking great. You’re going to rock that competition. I’ve got a bad shoulder as well, glad to hear the lacrosse balls help.
You look amazing. I’m always so impressed by the level of dedication this takes. It takes everything I have to workout 3 times a week and not eat an entire box of Ho Hos. LOL
I think you look leaner. I can see your ribs a bit more in the latest photo. I am so impressed by what you’re doing with your body. You are an inspiration.
Clean out from under your bed! That stuff has been sitting there for over a week! 😉
Haha! While I’m staying at home, it’s the only place I can store things.
Love your dedication!
Girl! You really make me want to start working out.
Your seriously putting me so shame, your looking great. I’m really interested to find out how you get on with the acupressure set, I would really like to try it myself too.
All I can say is WOW. You really look amazing. I really wish I have a body like that i mean being sexy and great.
I find this post interesting with the acupressure set and ball. I may have to try both of these because of my fibromyalgia. The acupressure mat and pillow may be the first thing I try. My muscles are always tight and I am full of knots in my back along with neck. Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to hear more. I still love that swim suit too.
You look so fit! I’d like to try that LaCross ball for my shoulders. They feel achy after a long day doing the chores.
You look really great in both photos. Yes, there is a difference.
You’re very fit, I love your being fitness, but you still pretty for me.
So entrigued by the accupuncture mat!
i have sore shoulders so i’m going to look into whether or not exercises with the lacrosse ball would help me. the acupuncture mat sounds really interesting
I’m thinking about that LaCross ball for my poor old aching shoulder as well! Actually the mat sounds pretty good as well.
You are superhuman!!!! Looking good, girl!!
Lovely tip, thanks for that! The mat looks really effective. I hope it works well for your needs. Your body looks great as well! Good job!
I have always wanted to try acupressure. I would love to try that mat too.
This acupressure mat, pillow set, and lacrosse ball look very useful. Thanks for sharing!
I can’t believe how tiny you are through your midsection. That must take incredible dedication.
I must admit, it’s partly genetics, but it’s fun to work on adding muscle up top and in my legs to make it look even smaller!
I am working on exercising. Not quite body building but I am happy to get in better shape.
I am so happy that you are working towards your goals… I myself have started on a get fit for real in 2016!
I’ve wanted to try one of these mats for a long time. Also, I didn’t know this about competitive body building, that you needed as close to perfect symmetry as possible. Thanks for that bit of education.
Lee
I need to try the ball. I have big roller, but it’s practically impossible to do my upper back with it by myself.
I think you’d like it! I think mine was only $5 or $6 too.
You look great! I will have to check out that mat!
I am so jealous… I wish I had the dedication… you look amazing!
Good luck as you prepare for your competition. You look amazing.
Check you out! I’ll be cheering from afar as you compete. Keep us all in the loop.
Aww, thank you! I sure will.
I have back pain quite often, especially after sitting at work or running – weird that two complete opposite spectrum of activity bother it the same. I think the acupuncture mat might actually help! I’m going to have to try it 🙂
That body took some serious workouts to get like that. I imagine some heavy weights too.
I suffer myself with pain but have never thought of using a ball to help out. I’m so going to give that a try and that mat looks/sounds amazing. Something else I might have to try as well. Thank you.
Hey wait a minute, I loved that Kiss song! I’m a rock n roll girl and we called it Kiss-co, because it was like a marriage of rock and a sort of disco. I think I see a difference also, but you look great in both.
Wow, you are looking awesome! That acupressure mat looks like something I need. My neck and shoulders kill me after doing workouts.
All the best to you!
wow what a great shape body. Your doing fabulous and look wonderful. Keep at it. I’m actually starting a weight loss journey and dont ever expect to look like that but your inspiring.
you go, girl (looking good!! 😀 ) – now as for that Kiss song – i thought i was the only one who remembered it! 🙂
I use a foam roller on my IT band and hamstrings. The first time I used it I thought I was going to die, hahaha. Love lacrosse balls for my feet.
Lol. It really does hurt like crazy. Worth it!
Good for you! I am not making any fitness goals this year. I am, however, resolving not to buy any toys or books for my kids. We have way too many toys and can get any book that we want from the library.
Be careful that you don’t really damage your body somehow!! Yes, you look a bit trimmer. i hope that mat and ball ultimately help rid you of pain and pit your body back in symmetry!
WOW! You look to real to be true. I will have to try that pillow and mat.
You look great. Looks like working out at the gym has really helped you. I wish I could get in the habit of going on a regular basis.
WOW! you look amazing! I wish I had the dedication you had! That acupressure mat looks awesome!
You’re looking amazing! I have used baseballs for muscle knots as well as foam rollers and they have been a godsend.
I have used foam rollers, but I would think the baseballs would hurt pretty bad. Maybe they hurt so good, though?
Yep, pretty much hurt so good. A good deep tissue massage can’t be beat, either.
i am obviously not pushing myself enough if this is what is supposed to make you feel better!!!
Sorry to hear that is hurting but you are doing a good job so keep the work up!
You’re a brave one, that’s for sure. Sending high fives for the competition! 🙂
Oh man, I really hope it helps. It sucks that it hurts so much, but if it ends up foxing that pesky imbalance, it will be worth it 🙂