NPC Emerald Cup - 5 days out

So I'm 5 days out. Today I did legs. Just a few supersets, 3 x 20 major exercises to burn out the glycogen. No carbs in my diet now aside from what's in all the asparagus I'm eating to drop water. I've made some HUGE changes and progress and I'm super excited about that. It's funny people's interpretations or views on that. Some people think that people who make changes like that are on steroids or other things. Ignorance. Jealousy because they are not making their own progress. Probly eating way too many carbs and/or drinking. But also everyone has their own opinions. Yesterday a friend told me that the big buff tatted dude at the booth next to us said I was 'jacked'. haha SuhWEET! I don't always see it. I mean I do in the selfies when I'm posing but never sure how I look to others. Today I saw a colleague who hadn't seen me in months, since like 20lbs ago, and she was like 'you got skinny! what' going on?" And I told her I had a show on Friday lol. So as if you're not already going back and forth in your own head, you have all these different opinions being thrown at you.

I'm also chugging a TON of water! 1-2 gallons a day. And I'm still THIRSTY!!! This is the effect different foods and ratios have on the body. I wouldn't recommend trying it, just take my word for it ;) 

This is me a few days ago. Lots of progress. My back is my best feature and its starting to show. The lighting in this locker room is horrible and has not reflecting what I and others have actually seen in my progress but it is what it is. Quad separation is good, shoulders are more capped then before. I'm still crooked, yes I AM, not the suit or how I'm standing. Chest has more definition,...I've really been working on that and finally have a pec separation. Also a lot less boobs, HAHHA! They are 'manageable' now.  

So everyone thinks I look Awesome and I'm 'gonna win'. It's really hard to be nice and take a compliment when you know it's not true. THIS is my weak spot. And despite all my progress, and how lean everything else is getting, THIS CRAP is still there. I am embarrassed by these photos. 'Normal people' don't know how ROUGH the competition is, and yes, every little line needs to be where it should. So do I feel confident? lol nope.  

 

This is not the bootie of a Figure Competitor. Again, the lighting is awful and I'm not tanned, but still. Yes, there will be improvement as I drop my water and dry out. I will tighten up, but not to the extent I need to. But I have to remember my approach this time. Although I REALLY wanted this show, I also wanted BALANCE. I allowed cheat meals. I had a little flexibility. Because I KNOW I can diet like crazy. But I also know I can balloon back up quickly. And I do not want that. I don't want the mental struggle and rebound I usually have. So the loss of over 20lbs was almost painless to me. I dieted, yes. But I feel like when I made changes the weight came off. And I enjoyed my food. I'd rather be a lower trophy and be able to maintain it all year round than to win one show and gain 30lbs back after that.

It's ok. The work is done, the final stages are in place. I'm getting caught up on rest these next few days and prepping and packing. Sara and I will enjoy this adventure to WA together and then hang out in Seattle and enjoy food like normal people lol. I'm already thinking to my diet and training for the next two months as NPC San Jose is on June 29th. All I really need to do is tighten up and drop a few more lbs or gain a lil muscle. I can come in very lean. And I have  few special events planned already for my cheat meals. If I keep it tight I should be able to allow them and then I will have something that I can start to live with as a normal life.

When it's close . . .

Many will start the journey with you, but few will finish it. Ones that start as your biggest supporters, sometimes turn against you. The words of encouragement turn to words of dismay, disgust - just to name a few. I know when I am close to my competition (ie: 4 weeks out or less) because of the remarks I get. At your weakest time, people abandon you. Sometimes because they can't stand that you've made such drastic changes while they've made none. Or because they can only be around people who drink or eat junk. While that's fun, you would really think a true friendship should have nothing to do with those things. People think you are 'too skinny', 'too muscle-y', unfeminine, just to name a few. You can feel so AWESOME about your body, your improvements, how far you've come, just for some selfish ignorant person to tear you down in a few seconds. At the time when you are most in your own head, full of nervousness and doubt. In our society people think this is ok, but you don't see us going around saying how 'fat you are, I don't think it's pretty, you look unhealthy, you should eat better..". I would never do such a thing, and I love helping people, but it's so amazing how the opposite seems to be acceptable, maybe because they think we can handle it. So the last few weeks, you pull back, concentrate on you, keeping yourself together and mentally focused and cling to the few around you who just GET IT. Who understand, and don't judge and help you keep your sanity.

 

  

Its all mental

So im 8 weeks out with no hope for a cheat meal except my birthday,  thank god for that at least. If you think dieting is hard...you aint seen nothing. There are NO EXCUSES.  your mind will play tricks on you. One minute you'll think you look great... the next you'll feel fat or flat and feel like giving up. Others don't notice the day to day fluctuations and changes...but you do. Your friends will tell you that you look great or that you're getting too skinny or muscular.  Strangers will come up and tell you that you look unhealthy (as their fat ass is shoveling junk food.. .lets be real!) They may decide to vent to you about how bodybuilders are "out of control" and say stupid things like "men don't like that"  Haha! Real men do. at least in our world!  ;) You will hear them, doubt them and beleive them. You will pose in front of the mirror with pride. .and then you will refuse to look in it. You will try not to self-sabatage by being to easy or too hard on yourself. You will sit there and watch your friends drink while you have water. You will watch them eat. You will see them dance the night away as you yawn and think about how hungry and tired you are and how you can make your exit...if you are still trying to be social.

This is not normal. This is for an extreme look which requires extreme measures.  Your friends will go from admiring you and following you to thinking you are too much. They won't understand and thats ok. People will ask how you do it, or want to do it with you but most will stop within the first week.

You will have cravings for things that are otherwise healthy but still not allowed for you. You will chew gum like Its a food group. You will get tired and moody. You will get mad at yourself for being tired and moody. you will start glaring at other peoples food, partly cuz your jealous and partly cuz you can't believe they eat that way on a daily basis.

You will do this because you are an Athlete. because nonone else will. Because you want more. Because doing it only half-ass does not get you that trophy.

NPC Emerald Cup - 8 weeks out

Well, we're at 8 weeks out! This week I took some progress pics finally and also sent them to Sara. She asked if I was still having fruit which I am. 1/2 banana on my hard days and 6 or so strawberries on my lighter days. She told me no more cheat days except for my Birthday. Which I needed her to tell me. This is going to be a BIG show and I want to present at my best EVER. So as of today, I am down to 131lbs, approximately 17.7% BF so down about 1%. My goal is approximately 12% at 125lbs. (Lower % if possible, my first year I was 9% so I'd like to see what I look like there.)

 
March 5th 2013                                                                   March 8th 2013

So I need to KILL myself the next few weeks because I have a fitness conference Thursday - Sunday. So instead of my normal 2 days rest, I need to start RIGHT OVER tomorrow to get all 5 lifts in before the 4 day conference(which is all workouts) and then RIGHT back into Day 1 lift on Monday. So about 19 days straight. Right now my back is locking up and I should be going to the chiropractor. When it locks up I can feel my spine, it cracks a lot, and my low back is tight. I can't move my neck/head that much. I am in pain around T4(thoracic) and my neck. I don't like to take meds, but I'm taking some now. I try to stretch a lot, hang to decompress my spine and roll on my foam roller.

 
Our Mantra                                                                             This week's food

So I did my lift...it was short, and hey, I'm not stupid so I didn't do my Cleans or Jump Rope. My back was trying to give out on the BB Front Squats and I tried one clean and I could hear my back crunching. I did a nice 30mins on the stairs instead of the treadmill.


Makin' it happen

Training Week 2 of 2013

I ended this week with a check-in: Down 3lbs from last check-in!(135lbs) NOT only that, but my body fat went down over 1%(20.6%). I was comparing my measurements with a few months back, when I was 135, and I am SMALLER! That means I gained muscle!(at... least 1lb back from before my hospital visit) Which confirms my readings. I am now 109lbs of Lean Body Mass, and my estimated comp weight for myself at 12%BF (IF i maintain the current muscle) would be 124. If I could get back down to 9%, like my first season, I would be 120 like i was last year, but MUCH leaner. ;)

This week I found some crazy ab cuts!

 

I am still on my diet, just have my Chili's Guiltless Grill 6oz Sirloin steak with broccoli on Sunday evenings with my mom(250cals, 38g protein, 8g fat). It fits in my plan. If I have a sweet tooth I have my Isagenix IsaDelights with green tea extract. That helps a lot. My body is responding like I am used to, really well. Last year it just wasn't. I have more lines and cuts than I am used to seeing even at 10lbs less, so I am really excited to see how I look as I lean out.
www.coachnict.isagenix.com

 

< 4 Weeks Out: NPC Governor's Cup

Here I am at just under 4 weeks out! I have really been lifting hard and am noticing a lot more definition and lines that I have NEVER had! My hamstrings are finally peeking out! All machines and their weight are a little different, but at my Sunday gym I actually was about the same weight for leg curls as for leg extension. finally getting some more balance! I lift as HEAVY as I can, and my body is feeling it!

Even though I have taken a mental break, I have made progress. I am 126lbs, and 16%BF. I definitely need to lean out so diet changes are being made. A LOT of things are coming out of my diet, and I'm ready. When coach tells me to take things out, I do it. So I had prepared my food so the Steel Cut Oatmeal is going up into the freezer until I can have it again. I am up, well doubling, my cardio so 6hrs/week. I get paid for 3 hehe. All I keep thinking is "I need to find a few cycle classes to sub!" I do NOT like cardio! I love teaching, and I love getting PAID! :D Tomorrow one of my clients and friend is going to do the Stair Monster with me. SO GLAD! The goal is 120lbs (or less) and 12%BF. At San Jose last year I was 118 at just under 13%BF day of show and of course we always are looking for improvement. I am REALLY excited to see what my body looks like 'stage-lean' now that I have worked for almost a full year on building muscle.

 My body is breaking down however and I have an appointment with my chiropractor tomorrow. This is VERY important with my scoliosis. Things are crooked to begin with so as I build muscle and things get pulled even more in the wrong directions it causes pain. My 'loose shoulders'(they sublux, or dislocate with movement) are hurting, as well as my whole spine pretty much, and now my elbow. My Chiropractor is very unique in that she does soft tissue work. She pinpoints the problem and works the muscle. She doesn't just 'pop' things. I go in with pain, and most cases leave pain free, and I've gone in after some pretty bad issues(ie flipping over my head and landing on my hands popping my shoulders out while snowboarding).

Another interesting thing on my 'mental break' was that my stomach got really bloated, and I was holding a LOT of water. I don't know if I was taking in too much protein with my baking using eggs, protein powder etc or if it was sugar, I'm not sure. But, it does reinforce my current clean eating. It never used to bother me but I have been pretty much eating clean for quite a while now that I think even small changes affect me.



I also am having a lot of fun meeting new friends! I was a little nervous as none of my girls will be competing with me in these next 2 competitions, but I have met other girls through mutual friends who are doing these shows and I am super excited to meet them! Having others is such a great motivation to keep you on track.

So, tomorrow I start my new diet! Coach told me to post my info and pics weekly to keep me on track and hold me accountable, so here I go! ;)

Ironman Naturally, -3 Days

Well, they're comin'....want some DEEP cuts for the next Comp!

Wow, today! I had originally thought I would be okay working through this week. I'm even teaching my classes, at least through tomorrow(Wednesday). But there were a few things I needed to do so I thought I'd give myself breathing room, boy did I NEED IT! I took today of and first item was SLEEP! I woke up at 11am. what?! Already behind. Guess what? I had forgotten to move my food from the freezer to the fridge or leave out to thaw. I needed to workout, but needed to eat food first. So, off to the store I went to get fresh tilapia and chicken for today.

Got my 4oz of chicken on my new scale. (Haven't unwrapped it yet, lol)

So I did a lot of cooking, did my YouTube blog for Today, went to the gym with mom, went to the chiropractor(I think she got my shoulder back even with the other), got my eyerows waxed, then came home and did some more cooking while doing a little Zumba in between. I vacuumed and am aiming to put some clothes away and pack a lil. Or add to my packing pile.

Looks like my spot's been taken... <3

My "Packing Pile" - Hmmm....what to wear. to party w/the girls after the show? ... ;)

I'm trying to catch up on meals. I am just about finished with my 2nd fill of my water jug(2.2L) This is Day 1 on my second carb-depletion. I won't have to do this again. I can NOT get behind and go crazy. I need to stay where I am at and continue my fine-tuning and progress from here to the next shows.

(2.2 Liters) x 2 !

Tomorrow I will go to work, then teach cycling @ Bally Total Fitness, then back to work, then back to Bally to teach BOSU, then back to Ray's Built Tuff for posing practice with Robin and train Leslie for her last workout. Tomorrow is the last workout day. Thursday and Friday we rest. Thursday I JUST go to work. Sounds SO simple! :D We do go to check in with Fatima at Ray's Built Tuff after work. Then we should be able to have some carbs to fill out. Friday we fly out. There will be me, Leslie(we are the 2 competing), Cori, Brenda(my former client and Bally class member) all on the same flight. SUPER fun! Becky might also be driving down, and my dad should be driving down.

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? ;)