Greetings everyone!

I have been extremely busy and have finally taken the time to update my post. A lot has happened in the last few months. First, it was so satisfying for me as an athlete to finally return to the stage after a 3 year hiatus and win the Women's Division at the Musclemania Superbody! Congratulations to all the winners and competitors who trained and dieted hard to get up on that stage. I know for sure it is not easy. This win was a significant one and I will tell you why.

As I was training and dieting for the Superbody I had a really bad setback. At the end of April, I severely injured my legs due to overtraining with my cardiovascular routine. I was briskly walking on a 15% incline on the treadmill for 1 hour/6 days a week. My shins were feeling pretty sore but I pushed it anyway due to my impressive progress. Well, unfortunately I had to learn the hard way. I developed severe (and I mean severe!) shin splints which put me in the hospital! Yes, I was in the hospital for 3 days due to inflammation to my shin muscles as well as numbness in my feet! To top off that, I couldn't even walk and my boyfriend, Chris had to carry me everywhere! After numerous of tests, I finally got out of the hospital and it was ruled severe shin splints. However, the doctors told me that I could not compete! Well, I wasn't going to have that! The whole time I was in the hospital as well as on bed rest for 2 weeks after, I still continued to stick to my diet! I wasn't going to give up! Even when I returned back to work after the 2 weeks, I could only sit in a chair and train all of my upper body parts. In fact, I didn't even train legs for 1 month! Also, when I did return to leg training, my training only consisted of leg extensions, leg presses (with my feet outward) and leg curls. My cardiovascular training was only the recumbent bike! Still, I had the drive and I was not preventing myself from going on stage. Along with this training, I was going to physical therapy twice a week!

Mind you, I dieted for 27 weeks for the show! As I progressively got better, I started to add the arch trainer and step mill to my cardiovascular training. Still, I couldn't do squats or traveling lunges, the two favorite exercises I love. Practicing posing was a little hard because posing the legs caused some pain to the shins. I was still determined though! After all was said and done, I still got on that stage in Miami and won 1st place! I couldn't believe it! It felt soooo good after the brutal training I went through. But I have to say, I couldn't do it without my boyfriend, Chris who stood by me through thick and thin. He even missed work to help me out and was there to assist me through workouts with spotting and helping me carry the weights! So, I dedicate my 1st place finish to him.

For now, I am enjoying the off-season and giving my body a rest from the grueling diet and cardio. I still train 5 days a week and continue to cardiovascular train. The shins are still slightly sore here and there but I just take my training depending on how I feel. I am done competing for the year and will sit back and enjoy time with my boyfriend, family, and friends. I love hearing from my fans! So be sure to e-mail me whenever you can. That's all for now. Never give up on your dreams and keep the drive alive!

Janelle Gallo

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