BCAA's,  branched chain amino acids, are the building blocks of protein.   They help break down food, grow and repair body tissue, provide an energy source, maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails, and boost your immune system.  BCAA supplements have been shown to build muscle, decrease muscle fatigue , and alleviate muscle soreness.  They have also been used in a hospital setting  to prevent or slow muscle loss and to improve symptoms of liver disease.   Despite all this, for some reason, people still doubt the value of this supplement!

  Personally, I have been taking aminos for like 20 years !  I love them!   The only downfall, for me, is that most companies make their formulas with the artificial sweetener , sucralose....   Sucralose is better known as SPLENDA and is a chemical made in a laboratory .  It alters glucose and insulin levels, increases risk of digestive problems, alters gut health and damages the GI tract, and may play a role in several cancers.

  The amino formula I like the best (bodytech critical aminos) includes L-glutamine, which is the one that helps muscle soreness and L-carnatine , a non stim fatburner !!   Best times to drink your aminos are before, during, or after your workout !  

  SO, I am really close to posting my results of a "booty experiment" I have been working on for a few months now and a huge part of it has been using creatine !   I'm not sure why I haven't kept creatine in my PERMANENT ARSONOL OF SUPPLEMENTS, cuz it really is the best thing you can use as a female weight lifter ...

   After analyzing the research on creatine, the International  Society of Sports Nutrition  declared that creatine monohydrate is the "most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available to athletes with the intent of high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training ! 
   Women have naturally lower creatine stores than men, meaning that they will respond better to creatine supplementation and could experience greater performance improvement than men.

    For menopausal women, creatine supplementation in combination with resistance training has been shown to counterbalance the muscle , bone, and strength loss that can occur during this time and can impact athletic performance and health status!  

   My personal experience with creatine has been amazing !   I will post my past results in this article and my CURRENT results are coming in a future post !!!:)   Do you take creatine ?? Comment below if you have had results using creatine !   I  am interested in hearing everyone's  stories, as supplements work differently in everyone's different body!

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   Hey, guys!   I decided to start writing some educational blogs and my 1st one is about L-carnitine !  It's a non stimulant fatburner of sorts.     The consumption can increase the breakdown of fat and help prevent fat gain by increasing fat burning and energy expenditure  during physical activity .  Also, studies show it can help improve insulin sensitivity in those with diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism. Some studies show that oral carnitine may help reduce fat mass, increase muscle mass, and reduces fatigue, which may contribute to fat loss in some people. 

  Carnitine helps the body breakdown fatty acids and turn them into energy to power the cells.  Not only does this decrease the amount of fat that your body stores , but it also helps reduce the visceral belly fat, the kind that surrounds your vital organs and potentially leads to fatty liver disease and other serious health conditions.

  Acetyl-l-carnitine helps with healthy  brain function, energy , and immune health.  Each is essential for helping you sleep more extended hours and wake up rested. 

  Carnitines are also reported to increase gonadotropins and sex hormone levels!

SOURCES:   biomedcentral.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ,medicalnewstoday.com

Summing this up, I have been a big fan of this supplement for a bunch of years and am currently taking the pills featured below!
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For the last year or so,  I was honestly hunting for a new company to order through because I would LOVE to do sweatshirts with the writing down the sleeves and BONFIRE won't let you do that...  I designed some GREAT STUFF on printify, BUUUUT the only color that allows you to print ANYWHERE is WHITE....annnnd  TBH, it's one of my least fave colors (and i am aware i am messy and will ruin it IMMEDIATELY! hahaha).  I MAY still make these available to purchase, but for now, here's my new stuff with my new, revamped skull logo!  I really hope you like them!  If you do buy something, I seriously thank you for your purchase and I'd LOVVVVE for you to post pix in the stuff and tag me !  I will repost here on my website and all over my socials !!!   #BeBADASS

It has been waaaaay too long since I have written any blogs here, but I intend to write regular, educational blogs at least once a month moving forward !  I am thinking of doing a Q & A to answer any fitness questions you may have for me...or any questions about training with me , etc !   Also random workout tips, supplement suggestions and reviews,  and workout challenges !   STAY TUNED !!  Feel free to comment here or message me on social media with any questions!:)

GREETINGS!!!!   Long time no talk, guys!!!  SOOOO much has been going on, it's insane ! 1st off, I have MOVED !!  I now live out in Slinger, WI instead of Milwaukee and things are great out here!  Now, all I need is to round up a few amazing clients to train with me at Cal's Fitness and Performance (323 E Washington St, Slinger, WI) !  If you are interested, I am doing 45 min sessions and my introductory rate will be $50per session!  I will do packages of 10, 15, and 20...and if you purchase more than 20 at a time, I will lower it to $42 per session !  THIS PRICE INCLUDES YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO CAL'S! You can't beat that!  Get in on this deal now because I will be raising these rates in the fall!  Can't wait to meet all you amazing Slinger people !! :)
​** pic was taken when Reid and I did a bad ass leg workout at Cal's !!

OMG, you guys!!!   I have totally lost track of time during this "pandemic".... I have written NO BLOGS, I haven't updated this website---I HAVE TOTALLY SLACKED!!!!  I am BAAACKKKKK though!!!  I KNOW i need to do another Amazon purchases blog FOR SURE because I have literally bought a JILLION things since I last spoke to you all!!!!   LOL   
  What else is new ???  Well, I have a new boyfriend and a new haircut....  Gia has been back n forth between virtual and in-person school, I have a second job at FORWARD HEALTHY LIFESTYLES (in Germantown, WI), I have gotten in COUNTLESS debates with people on social media about masks and vaccines, and SOOOOOOOO MANY THINGS!!!   LOL  A few things that haven't changed , though, is that I am still working out, still training clients, and still working on self improvement !!!
  Do you guys have new year's resolutions????  TELL ME ALL ABOUT THEM and how you're going about achieving them! I wanna know everything!!!!  Who made a resolution to get to the gym?  To get a trainer???   Message me if you want to start RIGHT AWAY!!!! ;)

  So, how did we all come out of quarantine??  Fatter?  Skinnier?  Lazier?  Dying to get back to the gyms ???   All I know is I'm SO HAPPY that gyms are opening their doors to us again!!!  Gym vlogs and workouts will resume ASAP , I will have some special guest star workout partners and of course, behind the scenes photoshoot footage !!
  For blogs here on beautifulmuscle.com, I will be compiling a collection of links to the MANY AMAZON BINGES i went on in this past 2 months!!!   haha   STAY TUNED FOR THAT!
  Unfortunately, MetroflexMKE gym has changed some things around in the way they're moving forward and I will be unable to continue training clients there.  I know--I am heartbroken too, but I will survive!  I have lots of room in my schedule to book  up Sweeney's Gym clients, so if you are interested, hit me up and let's get rolling !!! (May 26th is our official re-opening date )  I will be considering some different things with the way I work my sessions, though, so stay tuned to this blog as well as my social media when those updates are ready for you guys!!!!!
  I want to snap selfies and training pix with all my clients when we pick back up again, so be camera ready!!  haha  I missed everyone so much, it isn't even funny!!!!!
  Thx for watching my relaunch of vlogging YouTube channel!!  I will post the latest on at the end of this post in case you missed it !!! :)
  I hope everyone has been safe and healthy through this whole crazy mess and continues on that same way!!!!
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     I have started up 3 new BONFIRE campaigns for you guys to get your bad ass BEAUTIFULMUSCLE GEAR! I am SOOOO excited to get some of these items for myself!!!!!  If you miss a campaign, you can still purchase select items in my BONFIRE STORE!!!!!   CLICK HERE AND CHECK IT ALL OUT : www.bonfire.com/store/beautifulmusclecom/    !!!   I have added a new racerback ladies tank, a coffee mug, beanies and snap backs AND ZIP UP HOODIES!!!!!!!!!!!!  Let me know what you get and send me your selfies in the gear so I can post you on my website and my social medias!!!     
      2020 is starting of fabulously for me--HOW BOUT YOU!?  comment below!!