2 Days out - NPC Governor's Cup (BIRTHDAY!)

Here it is - Prep Time! I always overestimate and underbudget my time. On Sunday I started carb depleting. I worked out in the morning and was pretty much miserable the rest of the day, spending a lot of napping time in bed. This is where we do our lifts to keep the muscle full and pump out the carbs and water. Also I am still doing cardio. Tomorrow is my last lifting day. WHOOHOO! Also, I get carbs at most of my meals! ANOTHER WHOOHOO!

I did get a bed tan this time on Sunday and again today. Tuesday is the last time to bed tan as the tan caused inflammation/water retention. I will start my new tanning process with ProTan Line either tomorrow night(like before) or on Thursday morning(2x/day) as recommended. I'm antsy! I'm done being miserable and now I just want to BE THERE! I'm SUPER excited because I have met quite a few girls who are also doing this show, and one of them is my LONG time co-worker and friend whom I convinced to get on stage when I did my first show over 10 years ago. lol then I gained a bunch of weight after mine and couldn't do it with her and our other co-worker. She has since gone to Nationals and I am so proud of her! I am really excited to reconnect.

Interesting note - TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! I am conflicted, lol.
Negatives: NO dinners, NO drinks, NO nights out(well i did have grilled chicken at Hooters on St Patty's), NO parties, etc etc. I'm tired, cranky, depressed, stressed, hungry..... No time off(I worked and did collections) and did my workout and prepared my food. blah.
Positives: I CHOSE THIS. This was my 'gift' to myself. I have a history of not so good Birthdays and I didn't want to rely on anyone or be let down, so this is ALL on me. I am doing a competition and looking the best ever have, I am celebrating ME. AND, some of my closest girlfriends will be there and my dad and we will be celebrating my Birthday after at Cheesecake Factory so THAT is my reward! And I can't wait!

THOUGHTS
At this point of the season, I have been dieting for approximately 5 months. I believe in overall health, and a Competition Diet is NOT HEALTHY. Most trainers(good ones) will make you take time off after a certain length of time. Your body and mind will wear down, and it will show in your stage presence. I am looking at 16 more weeks after this, including the Contra Costa in May, West Coast Classic in June and San Jose in July. My body is breaking down, my mind is not comprehending. Burnt out. October - July...that's 9 months of HARD training and dieting. "Eating Clean" is NOT the same as a Competition Diet. When you are eating clean, you can eat ANYTHING that you can 'pick, kill or catch'. Any fruit, veggie, protein, grain, etc. You have a large variety and many different nutrients. A competition diet is vary specific and limited. This is why we rely on supplements. I am planning my 'mental' breaks so that I can continue. If I don't, I will end up as before, rebelling and eating out of spite. I don't believe in extremes. I quit before because I saw too many girls become obsessed with their food and lack of realistic lifestyle. I saw it ruin friendships, marriages, etc. BALANCE is KEY in ALL things. And if I start to feel like a flipping apple is a 'bad' thing, that's out of control. It's not in a competition diet for me, but it's not 'bad'. This sport is truly what you make it. And you need to make it work for YOU.

Closing Thoughts
I have planned 'mental' breaks, where I will eat 'clean' but let my body refuel and then decide to move on. I WILL move on, but I need to check in with myself and make sure it is the right thing to do. I want to be able to keep pushing myself and enjoy the process, even the crazy parts!  I am SO excited for this weekend! I have more muscle than ever, and have worked super hard for this. I can't wait to compare this season's pic to last years! mmm....Birthday Cake! :D

< 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! ;)

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? ;)