November 2012 - Training

After coming back from the NPC Sac Show on the 3rd, I realized I was in one of my 'non-eating' phases. Basically I've always had a cycled eating pattern. I'll eat more for a few weeks, and then I'll basically have no cravings or desire to eat. So I decided to use that to my advantage. Even though I'm building right now, I just don't feel comfortable at this high of a weight. I was at my all time high of 144lbs. (My previous high was always 140). The stress and mess I had to deal with in the last few months took a toll on my eating and working out.

I decided to tighten up my diet and drop a few pounds. I didn't plot it out, I just modified what I was already eating by cutting my pre-workout PB&J in half, and replacing 2 of my meals for super clean ones: tilapia & asparagus, and salmon & asparagus. It ended up being high protein and low carb, about 105g carbs. I will also say I did have a few add-in items. Monday I had my friend's leftover bread pudding she had made from scratch for me. Tuesday night I had my 2 mini sliders leftover from Chili's. Small bites, made me happy. If i run out of food I throw in a Lean Cuisine at the end of the week. So, I'm down 3lbs. I would've liked another to be down to 140, but I'm pretty happy. I took my measurements and photos. I'm guessing I'm down about 1 lb of fat, and 2lbs of water. I feel better about how I look, though I definitely have a long way to go. But I'm happy to lose it slower and keep the muscle I am working SO hard to build. I most likely will bring the food back up this week to my 'maintenance' level and continue. I would like to do another drop week at the end of Nov/Beg December. I am guessing my competition weight will be around 125. We will see how much I can actually build and what that looks like when I lean out.

I am still using the M&F Trainer for my workouts and loving it! I lift 5 days/week. I don't do any 'cardio' per say, but I teach 2-Cycle classes and 5-Aqua classes per week, so it's there! ;)  Yesterday was legs & shoulders and my butt is definitely sore today! I really had to force myself through that workout last night. My basic diet for the last week, my drop week, is below. It's about 1400 cals. If I had sat down and figured it out the ratios would have been better, I just wanted to drop and didn't mind going strict, especially because I let myself keep my favorites.

 

Current stats: 141lbs, 22%BF (31lbs), 110lbs LBM.
 - I take this all with a grain of salt, because the BIA measurements fluctuate greatly, and unfortunately some fat caliper measurements you just can't take on your own. At the higher weight it read i was 112LBM, which I'm sad about because I was working to 115, but now looks like I'm back down to 110. We will see, I just HAVE to keep my lifts in, even though I am completely SLAMMED at work! 



 

Training goals for 2012-2013

As I've been taking time off to recoup and deal with life's challenges, I haven't stopped thinking about my training. While I miss my leanness, it's been nice to be free, sometimes TOO much at times! I definitely have enjoyed not having my shoulders feel broken among other things. I've been thinking, and researching and just trying to absorb all the infromation I can to embark on my new training journey.

I have worked with many coaches over the years, and I have loved all of them! I have learned so much! And as this is my profession, I also want to try what I learn and see what I can do. My MAIN focus is to find BALANCE, and something STABLE. I am SO over this diet yo-yo. I am going to really take my time to prep this season so that I can see what works for me, and what I can do without driving myself into a fit of Safeway cake. lol.

Mind you I am NOT where I want to be currently. I gained, let's just say, "A - LOT". I will of course post my progress photos once I am back where I want to be. So, In MY head I'm fat. Like Michellin Man FAT! Everyone around me thinks that's retarded and I look great. HA! Thank God for Spandex! lol However, I have it stuck in my head that I will build during the Holidays. Pretty Typical. And I'm excited about it! So I have been trying harder to lean out lately, I only have 2 more weeks to go! Now in my building process I'm not going to try to gain a lot of fat, I have 3 months so I can build slowly, but so far I think I will be able to build pretty well ;) I do have a little catch-up to do, but so far things are coming back, even after just a week. Last time I gained 1 lb in 2 weeks(supposedly). So 3 months to build.

AFTER New Years', I'll start my 3 month leaning phase. Now, here's the other reason Im starting 'early'. My Birthday is in March. Also the Arnold is in March. Last year, for my Birthday I was on the 3rd day of a carb depletion for the NPC Gov Cup. UGH! I am celebrating my Birthday this time! So I am making time for that, then back to it HARD for the final adjustments.

Of course, this can change at any time. I could find something I want to try and change course. I can do that ;) Because I am the one making the rules, it's easier for me to look forward to it. Because I can also let myself have a treat if I start to go nuts. But, I had to come back to this frame of mind. A month ago, two months ago when I was constantly breaking down on the freeway and dealing with my cat's cancer and mulitple surgeries, amputation and possible death....You couldnt get me away from a damn piece of cake. A few weeks ago, when I almost blacked out teaching a class and was breathless going up the gym stairs because I was having such high anxiety, I was in FEAR of working out. Can you imagine? ME - AFRAID of the gym?? WTH? Life happens. I have learned to accept the things I cannot change, work my azz off to change what I can, and get through it the best I know how, because I know where my roots are, and where my heart is. Sometimes all the 'motivational quotes' make you feel like you have to be 100% on or your...what? Lazy, making excuses, etc. I'm an 80% / 20% kinda gal. No one's perfect. I'M not  perfect. But if you do your best, most of the time...I think that's what counts.

If you are curious about my influences, I have been following Mike McErlane, who created Muscle&Fitness' Workout Trainer. He also for some reason saw fit to put lil ole' me in the Q&A Trainer section. I absolutely LOVE following Jim Stoppani, PhD. Could YOU see him in goggles and a lab coat?? To be able to have someone empirically describe how the body actually works in relation to bodybuilding is just amazing to me.  Also like reading Lee Labrada's articles as well. So i will be using a lot of what I have gotten from them, along with my own journals, and of course, education. I do have 6 years of college/graduate education in Exercise Physiology....not to mention about 30 different certifications. I should be able to handle this 'client', right? ;)

2012 Goals - 6 months to greatness!

Firstly, I want to say this is not me being cocky. It's kinda tongue-in-cheek, but also half a dream. In the past I have competed, each time trying to place. Now I have set my sights higher. I never had a one-on-one coach to help and guide me. It has made a HUGE difference in having that support.  I have built a network and technology is such that I am able to really learn and do more than I thought I could. I have made a lot of progress and have never looked this way at the weight i've been(my heavier weight.) I have trained VERY hard before and not looked like this. I attribute it to an AWESOME coach in Fatima and i have been using Advocare products. It's amazing, everyone that uses Advocare or tries it has such great results! My family and friends practically 'sell' it back to me!  I gained up to 140 having 'fun' with food after the SJ show. I lose quick and I gain quick! So at 131, i have cut abs, legs, awesome! I competed at 116 at SJ so I'm so interested to see what I'll be for this season. So with training clients and competing myself, I have had to set an example and set my sights higher.

Last year because I placed 3rd in my class at NPC San Jose in Figure, I qualified to go to USA's in Vegas(Nationals). I have decided to do it. I am very intimidated, but I've competed long enough, I need to give MYSELF a chance. I don't think I doubted doing San Jose again, it will be my 4th time at that show and hope to place higher. I decided to do NPC Contra Costa. That was the very first show I did, never having seeing a competition before, and it is HUGE. I was....108lbs. (9%BF). I got SLAMMED. There were 13 or 14 in my height class. The next year I went back for another beating. There were MORE. So I want to take on that show, and I aim to place(Top 5). My girl Cori Ann brought up some shows with great opportunity; Ironman Magazine Naturally with the FitExpo, and they also have the West Coast with Team ratings in June.

My goals are to place higher (1st or 2nd), to Place at Contra Costa, and to Rank at USA. USA ranks the top 15 of about 30. Everyone else is numbered as 16. After that, I will be OFF! This is a VERY ambitious schedule, and if i do it i will beat my previous record. In 2005 I aimed for 8 shows and hit 5. I have a lot more driving me this time.

Here is my schedule:

Jan 28th            3wks - LA Ironman Mag/FitExpo
March 24th     11wks - Sac Gov Cup (My Bday is the 20th!)
May 5th          17wks - Contra Costa

June 23rd        24wks - Ironman Mag/Team
July 14th         27wks - San Jose/Fit Expo
July 27&28     29wks - USA (LV)
OFF ;)

 I think I have a shot...what do you think? ;)