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? ;)

Getting Back to "Normal"

Well, here I am...1 1/2 months after my last show.(NPC Governor's Cup, March 24th, 2012) and here I am, back up to 136lbs, 20%BF which is where I was in November. It's not inspiring, it's not something I post a lot about, but it's life.I am not sucking in or posing in these photos. Just me.

I let myself pretty much eat what I wanted. Which I totally enjoyed! Don't get me wrong, I started every day well, but by the end of the day, all I wanted was CAKE!! Being a competitor and trainer, you are also under a LOT of scrutiny. I could be eating something and someone will come up and ask how many grams of sugar? or oh that must have preservatives! or any other derrogatory comment they feel entitle to as I'm struggling finding my own balance.

So now I'm at that point where I am once again enjoying making my healthy food. Things that I was afraid to eat before(dairy, cottage cheese, cheese, tuna, whole grain bread - HEALTHY things!) I am now eating. And I am back in control. From this point on, I want to diet in a more healthy fashion. I can't have a diet where I can NEVER have something, or completely cut something out.

I have finally been convinced that I have enough muscle. I keep wanting to build more, but it seems as the Figure gals are coming down in size, so I need to concentrate on getting as tight as possible. My goal is to diet my way back down 10lbs, and the once I am in the 125lb range, I will Diet hard for 4 - 6wks to get Stage Lean. Because my life, job, schedule and sanity are important to me. And I believe my body responds better that way.

I am currently trying the method and supplement in Jim Stoppani, PhD's "7 Scientific Steps to a Camera Ready Body". This is also a test run for me to see how it works, and if it works as I think it will, I will use it for my competition prep. You can see it through the link below.

7 Scientific Steps To A Camera-Ready Body 

by Jim Stoppani, PhD Jun 30, 2011

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/7-scientific-steps-to-camera-ready-body.html