Now it all comes together.
I have dieted hard core, trained my ass off....and now, time for the finishing touches. Of which I like to call: My Swagger.
You have to bring it after all to the stage.
So I am leaving for Dallas in the am to meet Amy (finally!). We have a busy weekend planned. Going to the gym as soon as I get there to fit in cardio. Then we are going to the Shakira concert.
Saturday morning we are going to boot camp and then posing practice. We will then go to MAC for some makeup appointments.
Then another workout Saturday evening.
Then Sunday morning workout again, and a mid-morning posing practice.
Then I come home.
One of the most important swag items is in the mail as we speak, meeting me in Dallas: THE SUIT. It was completed just in time and I haven't seen it yet. But the suit designer says she has it on the way to my coach and I should have it for the weekend for my posing practice. I am sooooo excited about that. I can not wait to see it on. I hope I don't die of excitement. That is when I know I will feel like a figure competitor. YAY!!!!
Now for all of you out there wanting to see this glorious $740 suit that I had specially designed to replicate Ava Cowan's latest look....well you will have to wait until October 23rd. I am leaving this to the surprise of me on stage. I want the entire stage package to be something no one could have pictured coming out of little 'ol me. So you will not be seeing it beforehand. Plus, I really don't think suits look the same off the rack as they do on the figure competitor. So too bad!
More to come on my weekend in Dallas, the body building Mecca.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My Current Workout Schedule
I realized today I haven't shared my workout schedule in a long time. Here is how it goes:
Monday Morning:
1 hour of legs:
50 walking lunges
One leg curl superset with barbell good mornings
one lying leg curl superset with dumbell deadlifts
leg press - 100 reps
jump squats
jump lunges
calve raises
45 minutes of sprints. 1 minute sprint followed by 1 minute walking.
Monday Afternoon:
55 minutes of lsd cardio
Tuesday Morning:
30 minutes arms:
skull crushers superset with barbell curls
incline db curls superset with tricep pressdowns
dumbell hammer curls superset with overhead extensions
45minutes of cycling
Tuesday Afternoon:
45 minutes cycling
Wednesday Morning:
45 minutes sprints (like Monday)
Abs - 300 crunches of different variety
Wednesday Afternoon:
55 minutes lsd cardio
Thursday Morning:
60 minutes cycling
stretching
posing practice
Thursday Evening:
Back - 1.5 hours
High MTS Rows
Seated cable rows
Lat pulldowns
One arm rows
Cable rear delt pulls superset with peck deck machine
Friday Morning:
Crossfit class (plyometrics and circuit training) - 45 minutes
Friday Afternoon:
45 minutes lsd cardio
calve raises and calve presses
Abs - 200 crunches of variety
Saturday Morning:
45 minutes of lsd cardio
Saturday Afternoon:
45 minutes lsd cardio
Sunday Morning:
Shoulders - 1 hour
one arm lat raises on fit ball superset with machine lat raises
one arm overhead press superset with 2 arm overhead press
one arm peck deck superset with two arm peck deck
rear delt pull on knees
leaning lat raises superset with front raises
30 minutes of cycling
So.....if you are tired from reading all this, well....Welcome my friends to my real world "insanity".
Monday Morning:
1 hour of legs:
50 walking lunges
One leg curl superset with barbell good mornings
one lying leg curl superset with dumbell deadlifts
leg press - 100 reps
jump squats
jump lunges
calve raises
45 minutes of sprints. 1 minute sprint followed by 1 minute walking.
Monday Afternoon:
55 minutes of lsd cardio
Tuesday Morning:
30 minutes arms:
skull crushers superset with barbell curls
incline db curls superset with tricep pressdowns
dumbell hammer curls superset with overhead extensions
45minutes of cycling
Tuesday Afternoon:
45 minutes cycling
Wednesday Morning:
45 minutes sprints (like Monday)
Abs - 300 crunches of different variety
Wednesday Afternoon:
55 minutes lsd cardio
Thursday Morning:
60 minutes cycling
stretching
posing practice
Thursday Evening:
Back - 1.5 hours
High MTS Rows
Seated cable rows
Lat pulldowns
One arm rows
Cable rear delt pulls superset with peck deck machine
Friday Morning:
Crossfit class (plyometrics and circuit training) - 45 minutes
Friday Afternoon:
45 minutes lsd cardio
calve raises and calve presses
Abs - 200 crunches of variety
Saturday Morning:
45 minutes of lsd cardio
Saturday Afternoon:
45 minutes lsd cardio
Sunday Morning:
Shoulders - 1 hour
one arm lat raises on fit ball superset with machine lat raises
one arm overhead press superset with 2 arm overhead press
one arm peck deck superset with two arm peck deck
rear delt pull on knees
leaning lat raises superset with front raises
30 minutes of cycling
So.....if you are tired from reading all this, well....Welcome my friends to my real world "insanity".
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Progress Pics at 5 weeks out!
Here is a progress pic, at 5 weeks out. 114 pounds flat, 13.5% body fat. I'm not seeing that much difference than 2 weeks ago, but I guess my body fat hasn't changed a whole lot either. My abs and shoulders are looking great and you can't see the definition in my legs in the phot, but my quads are separating in multiple places.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Latest and Greatest
Just a quick update.
I haven't been blogging much which I can only assume is because I'm getting used to just spending time alone and thinking about the show and I'm starting to accept that it is a lonely bit of a ride....and I'm ok with it. Really. Not complaining. I have had so many emotions through this whole thing and now that I'm finally getting to the end, I look in the mirror and am so amazed and happy all at the same time, that I am glad I have made the sacrifices I have. I never ever thought I could make it this far. Yeah, it sucks to be alone a lot of the time, but there is more to life than just going to work every day and then eating like crap all the time. It is way cooler to say you have actually done something huge.
Speaking of...I ran a marathon in 2004 and I was so surprised at myself then. I cried when I finished because I was so happy. I was thinking about this the other day....I got to eat whatever I wanted during all that training, never lost a pound. But I trained my ass off (nothing like now) but it was the most I ever trained in my life at the time. I was so proud. I am here to tell you as a marathon completer (and there is only 1% of the population in this category)....training for a figure show is 10 times harder than running a marathon. Hands down. So I just hope I don't burst into tears when I get off the stage on October 23rd! But I probably will! LOL
Anyway, things are coming along as they should be. I'm down to 13.5% body fat. Haven't lost a bunch more weight, I'm still hovering around 113.8-114.6 pounds. Looks like I might be where I will stay until the last week of pre-contest. Which is PERFECT. I hope to lose 3-4 pounds the last week in water. My suit will fit a 110 pound body perfect. So I THINK everything is right on track. I wish my body fat was a little lower, but that is ok.
Speaking of my suit...it will be here next week! YAY!
And then in 2 weeks I'm making a trip to Dallas to work one on one with Amy for a little pose and presentation. I've been working with Mary who is really amazing. But Amy is a pro figure competitor and she has been so helpful to me these last few weeks. I spoke with her on the phone on Monday and she really made me feel good about my progress. She was going to try and make it to my show but she can't because she is booked for another event (she has her own makeup business now). Anyway, I'll spend a couple days with her and then come home. So from now until show I just need to stick with my diet and keep up the cardio and training. And everything should fall into place just fine.
AND Amy and I started talking about my diet post-show. I will not be going immediately to pig out with anyone just yet! Yes, Sunday I will cheat. I need to reward all my hard work. But then, I will be back on a diet so I don't just BLOW up overnight. The plan is to slowly back off my cardio, then start adding in more calories, then start backing me off the fat burner. I'm hoping to only gain a couple pounds and hopefully be able to stick to 115 pounds. And maybe 15% body fat. I know this sounds crazy, but I would really like to find a way to make this my weight and body fat with working out 6 days a week with 4 days weights and 4 days cardio for only like 30 minutes. I think I can do it. It might seem crazy but I started this journey out of shape and now that I'm there I should be able to make it happen. THEN, if I do want to compete ever again, I would hopefully only need 8-10 weeks prep time and not another 16 weeks. Wouldn't that be amazing!!!!?????
Ok enough for now. I'm going to attempt to get caught up on chores this weekend and live somewhat normal. I already had a nap this morning which was amazing! Relaxation is key at this point!
I haven't been blogging much which I can only assume is because I'm getting used to just spending time alone and thinking about the show and I'm starting to accept that it is a lonely bit of a ride....and I'm ok with it. Really. Not complaining. I have had so many emotions through this whole thing and now that I'm finally getting to the end, I look in the mirror and am so amazed and happy all at the same time, that I am glad I have made the sacrifices I have. I never ever thought I could make it this far. Yeah, it sucks to be alone a lot of the time, but there is more to life than just going to work every day and then eating like crap all the time. It is way cooler to say you have actually done something huge.
Speaking of...I ran a marathon in 2004 and I was so surprised at myself then. I cried when I finished because I was so happy. I was thinking about this the other day....I got to eat whatever I wanted during all that training, never lost a pound. But I trained my ass off (nothing like now) but it was the most I ever trained in my life at the time. I was so proud. I am here to tell you as a marathon completer (and there is only 1% of the population in this category)....training for a figure show is 10 times harder than running a marathon. Hands down. So I just hope I don't burst into tears when I get off the stage on October 23rd! But I probably will! LOL
Anyway, things are coming along as they should be. I'm down to 13.5% body fat. Haven't lost a bunch more weight, I'm still hovering around 113.8-114.6 pounds. Looks like I might be where I will stay until the last week of pre-contest. Which is PERFECT. I hope to lose 3-4 pounds the last week in water. My suit will fit a 110 pound body perfect. So I THINK everything is right on track. I wish my body fat was a little lower, but that is ok.
Speaking of my suit...it will be here next week! YAY!
And then in 2 weeks I'm making a trip to Dallas to work one on one with Amy for a little pose and presentation. I've been working with Mary who is really amazing. But Amy is a pro figure competitor and she has been so helpful to me these last few weeks. I spoke with her on the phone on Monday and she really made me feel good about my progress. She was going to try and make it to my show but she can't because she is booked for another event (she has her own makeup business now). Anyway, I'll spend a couple days with her and then come home. So from now until show I just need to stick with my diet and keep up the cardio and training. And everything should fall into place just fine.
AND Amy and I started talking about my diet post-show. I will not be going immediately to pig out with anyone just yet! Yes, Sunday I will cheat. I need to reward all my hard work. But then, I will be back on a diet so I don't just BLOW up overnight. The plan is to slowly back off my cardio, then start adding in more calories, then start backing me off the fat burner. I'm hoping to only gain a couple pounds and hopefully be able to stick to 115 pounds. And maybe 15% body fat. I know this sounds crazy, but I would really like to find a way to make this my weight and body fat with working out 6 days a week with 4 days weights and 4 days cardio for only like 30 minutes. I think I can do it. It might seem crazy but I started this journey out of shape and now that I'm there I should be able to make it happen. THEN, if I do want to compete ever again, I would hopefully only need 8-10 weeks prep time and not another 16 weeks. Wouldn't that be amazing!!!!?????
Ok enough for now. I'm going to attempt to get caught up on chores this weekend and live somewhat normal. I already had a nap this morning which was amazing! Relaxation is key at this point!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Tickets to the Gun Show
If there is anyone out there who wants to go to my show, let me know. I'll get you tickets. I mean, they aren't free but I'll make sure I order a bunch together so you can sit in my fan group. :)
AM prejudging begins at 9am for $20. This is the best bet to see most of me. This is where the majority of judging is done and I will be compared to every girl in my class.
PM show starts at 6pm for $45-55. This is a huge show so there is balcony seating and regular seating. I will not be on the stage long for this part unless I actually win something (let's not get ahead of ourselves here).
I would love it if anyone who has been following this blog can make it. But otherwise, you will see plenty of photos post show. I guarantee there will be tons of photos to share my moments with all the supporters out there.
SIX weeks to go!!!!
AM prejudging begins at 9am for $20. This is the best bet to see most of me. This is where the majority of judging is done and I will be compared to every girl in my class.
PM show starts at 6pm for $45-55. This is a huge show so there is balcony seating and regular seating. I will not be on the stage long for this part unless I actually win something (let's not get ahead of ourselves here).
I would love it if anyone who has been following this blog can make it. But otherwise, you will see plenty of photos post show. I guarantee there will be tons of photos to share my moments with all the supporters out there.
SIX weeks to go!!!!
A big big uh-oh moment
I had a horrible horrible moment this week.
My body fat has been dropping but it has not really been just FALLING off of me. I started pre-contest at like 17.5%. I wanted to be 16%. But it took me all this time (12 weeks) to move from 17% to 14%. what the heck???
well, I was taking a fat burner when I started pre-contest. And then Amy told me to wait to get on this T-X supplement, which is actually a pro-hormone (I know, everyone is probably shuddering right now...)...anywho....so at 12 weeks out I went on the T-X. Now, I THOUGHT it was a fat burner. I was already on a fat burner, but I thought the T-X was just a higher strength fat burner. Amy explained to me that it would not give me a stimulant effect so I would not curb my appetite with it. Well, I've been like perfect on my diet for the last 6 weeks. But for some reason my body fat has barely moved. So then Amy says something like "is the fat burner giving you any energy?" and I'm thinking, what the heck is she talking about, she TOLD me T-X wouldn't give me any energy...see where I'm going with this???? I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING BOTH SUPPLEMENTS AND I'VE ONLY BEEN TAKING ONE!!!!!!
CRAP.
SHIT.
YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME.
When I told Amy we both started freaking out. She said she was going to have a heart attack. I'm like...well I've been shrinking...and she's like, yeah but it is not all fat coming off of you, it is obviously just that you are burning a ton of calories and not focusing in on the fat!!!
So, I'm trying to stay positive. Because now I have to get back on the fat burner, but it will take my body a couple weeks to get used to it. So I'm hoping and crossing my fingers that the fat burner just shocks the hell out of my system and I get a whole bunch of body fat off in the next couple of weeks.
The other kinda good thing is (I guess, I'm trying to find the silver lining to this whole thing)...is that I'm at 113 pounds now. Well I only wanted to get to 110 for show. Amy actually thought I would be like 112 for show. So I guess I'm pretty much at the weight I wanted to be at, I just now have to get this fat off of me and not worry about getting little because I'm already there. But I think this is still kinda bad because it is highly unlikely I will just lose 3 pounds of fat in the next few weeks. I will most likely lose 2 pounds of muscle also to lose those 3 pounds of fat. Hopefully that happens and I fit perfectly into my suit.
Ugh. Like I don't have enough stress dealing with this whole thing. I just have to tell myself it is yet another test of will power and that when I make it to the end I will be that much more proud of myself.
Also, check out the post prior to this for a sneak peak of Before vs After. I can not wait to have the dreadful before photo with the competition photo. And the before photo in the post is when I weighed like 137, so I wasn't even the heaviest (150lbs!).
My body fat has been dropping but it has not really been just FALLING off of me. I started pre-contest at like 17.5%. I wanted to be 16%. But it took me all this time (12 weeks) to move from 17% to 14%. what the heck???
well, I was taking a fat burner when I started pre-contest. And then Amy told me to wait to get on this T-X supplement, which is actually a pro-hormone (I know, everyone is probably shuddering right now...)...anywho....so at 12 weeks out I went on the T-X. Now, I THOUGHT it was a fat burner. I was already on a fat burner, but I thought the T-X was just a higher strength fat burner. Amy explained to me that it would not give me a stimulant effect so I would not curb my appetite with it. Well, I've been like perfect on my diet for the last 6 weeks. But for some reason my body fat has barely moved. So then Amy says something like "is the fat burner giving you any energy?" and I'm thinking, what the heck is she talking about, she TOLD me T-X wouldn't give me any energy...see where I'm going with this???? I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING BOTH SUPPLEMENTS AND I'VE ONLY BEEN TAKING ONE!!!!!!
CRAP.
SHIT.
YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME.
When I told Amy we both started freaking out. She said she was going to have a heart attack. I'm like...well I've been shrinking...and she's like, yeah but it is not all fat coming off of you, it is obviously just that you are burning a ton of calories and not focusing in on the fat!!!
So, I'm trying to stay positive. Because now I have to get back on the fat burner, but it will take my body a couple weeks to get used to it. So I'm hoping and crossing my fingers that the fat burner just shocks the hell out of my system and I get a whole bunch of body fat off in the next couple of weeks.
The other kinda good thing is (I guess, I'm trying to find the silver lining to this whole thing)...is that I'm at 113 pounds now. Well I only wanted to get to 110 for show. Amy actually thought I would be like 112 for show. So I guess I'm pretty much at the weight I wanted to be at, I just now have to get this fat off of me and not worry about getting little because I'm already there. But I think this is still kinda bad because it is highly unlikely I will just lose 3 pounds of fat in the next few weeks. I will most likely lose 2 pounds of muscle also to lose those 3 pounds of fat. Hopefully that happens and I fit perfectly into my suit.
Ugh. Like I don't have enough stress dealing with this whole thing. I just have to tell myself it is yet another test of will power and that when I make it to the end I will be that much more proud of myself.
Also, check out the post prior to this for a sneak peak of Before vs After. I can not wait to have the dreadful before photo with the competition photo. And the before photo in the post is when I weighed like 137, so I wasn't even the heaviest (150lbs!).
Show pics will really make some kind of before vs after.....
I was looking through my old pics today. WHOA. Here is a before vs after deal....
as far as I'm concerned, I won my internal contest. Enough said.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I'm AHEAD of my schedule...AHEAD.
I have felt like I am behind this whole time. Because I'm the underdog here. The fat girl trying to make it to a Figure Competition.
Then Nathan and I talked on the phone. He was like "oh you are right on schedule since you only have 5 weeks left" and I had to remind him that I have SEVEN weeks left. He was like..."SEVEN! You need to eat something today!"....what? Basically I'm losing weight much faster than he thought I would and my body fat is changing rapidly. At this rate, I won't fit into my suit if I'm not careful and we don't want me to look frail and bones showing everywhere. The last thing I want is to lose all my muscle!
So anyway, everything is going better than planned even though I am still very tired and worn out.
I believe I found my hair/makeup artist as well. Her name is Melinda. I met her at the FEM Camp I went to in June. She said at that time that she wouldn't be doing anything for my show. but now my show is having a Pro Show as well. Well, Melinda and her company ENG Beauty will be there. So I am making an appointment with them! They did a great job for me at the FEM camp and Monica Brant even uses them. So, that is one more thing to cross off the list!
And for the show....HERE IS THE POSTER!!!
Then Nathan and I talked on the phone. He was like "oh you are right on schedule since you only have 5 weeks left" and I had to remind him that I have SEVEN weeks left. He was like..."SEVEN! You need to eat something today!"....what? Basically I'm losing weight much faster than he thought I would and my body fat is changing rapidly. At this rate, I won't fit into my suit if I'm not careful and we don't want me to look frail and bones showing everywhere. The last thing I want is to lose all my muscle!
So anyway, everything is going better than planned even though I am still very tired and worn out.
I believe I found my hair/makeup artist as well. Her name is Melinda. I met her at the FEM Camp I went to in June. She said at that time that she wouldn't be doing anything for my show. but now my show is having a Pro Show as well. Well, Melinda and her company ENG Beauty will be there. So I am making an appointment with them! They did a great job for me at the FEM camp and Monica Brant even uses them. So, that is one more thing to cross off the list!
And for the show....HERE IS THE POSTER!!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
7 weeks out!!!!
Wow, I can not believe I only have SEVEN weeks left until my show!!!
I am so excited!!!!
And nervous and anxious and I'm sure I don't know much about what I'm really getting myself into...
But, I do know this: The hard work I have put in the last year and a half is really paying off and has finally lead me to this point. I am trying not to be emotional about it but it really is hard not to get somewhat emotional. I am so excited to be able to achieve this, and when I think about how I used to feel about myself and how easily I gave up on diets all those other times....wow. How completely different I am now. I can honestly not imagine going back to that way ever again. And it is a little weird because I really think that I work 10 million times harder now to have this body and healthy lifestyle, and I've given up a ton to be here. But I still wouldn't trade any of it back.
To the point where today I started thinking about how my 30th birthday will be here in a few months. And how I all along said I wanted to have a HUGE party....and now? Not so much. I mean, I will definitely celebrate my 30th! But I don't think I really want to celebrate it with a big alcohol/food fest. I mean, really? Pay all that money for a bunch of pure CRAP that I refuse to eat regularly!?? Hmm.....If I really do end up doing anything, I think I will take the few really good friends I have to dinner somewhere and my splurge will be a big piece of chocolate cake. But otherwise, I think I'd rather spend my money on a new workout outfit or purse or something I'll use rather than consume. Guess I really am showing my age after all now.
But about the next 7 weeks. They are not going to get any easier. They will be tough. I'm down to 114 pounds and 14% body fat. And I feel and look great but the punishment to get these last few pounds off is killer. TWO workouts a day, EVERY day!!!! WEIGHT training 4 days a week, plus a plyometric workout, and a total of 7.3 hours of cardio in the week. The total time I train in a week is about 13 hours. Add on to that travel time to the gym, and it is easily 16 hours a week. And then I spend about 6 hours a week getting food prep done. So, that means 22 hours a week is just for show prep. That is a lot of time.
FOOD BREAK
Do you know that my Saturday still feels like a complete CHEAT day to me, and this is what I ate last Saturday:
Egg beater omelet for breakfast with a slice of Ezekiel toast.
1/2 cup oats with 1 scoop whey and 1/2 blueberries for lunch.
2 low fat waffles with sugar free syrup and 1 tbsp almond butter for a snack.
Whey protein powder and powdered peanut butter for a snack.
Steak, potato and broccoli for dinner.
A granola bar.
Dessert: whey protein powder with 1/2 cup pumpkin, 2 tbsp cool whip, and 1/4 cup granola.
I mean, if I could eat that every day I would be ecstatic!! But no, I only eat it on Saturday and I actually feel kind of GUILTY!!!!
IMPORTANT DISCOVERY!
I have discovered some amazing sugar free items this week too that I just have to share:
Walden Farms makes a sugar free fat free caramel dip, chocolate dip, and marshmallow fluff. You can find this in the specialty section for diabetics at the grocery store. I have not yet tried them, but I bought them. I plan on using 2 of them tomorrow and seeing just how good they taste. Check it out: http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dip_marshmallow.html, I found mine at Kroger, but you can buy online.
I always use a sugar free syrup in my coffee or egg/oat pancakes. Well, I ran out of my vanilla. I went multiple times to both grocery stores to find it and they have not restocked. this really irks me. I LOVE that vanilla syrup and I'm kind of lost without it. Well, I went online to see about it...you will never believe what I discovered. there are only like 50 different flavors of that brand of sugar free syrup. The brand is Davinci. Go online and you will see: http://www.davincigourmet.com/. I ordered peanut butter, white chocolate, cookie dough, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and macadamia nut. I could not believe all the choices. I was having a hard time picking them out! My coffee is going to be absolutely amazing from now on!!!! I can not wait to try them all out!!!!
See, it's these little things that keep me going and excited about my food. Once you are hooked on being healthy and trying new things, you just can't quit!!!
I am so excited!!!!
And nervous and anxious and I'm sure I don't know much about what I'm really getting myself into...
But, I do know this: The hard work I have put in the last year and a half is really paying off and has finally lead me to this point. I am trying not to be emotional about it but it really is hard not to get somewhat emotional. I am so excited to be able to achieve this, and when I think about how I used to feel about myself and how easily I gave up on diets all those other times....wow. How completely different I am now. I can honestly not imagine going back to that way ever again. And it is a little weird because I really think that I work 10 million times harder now to have this body and healthy lifestyle, and I've given up a ton to be here. But I still wouldn't trade any of it back.
To the point where today I started thinking about how my 30th birthday will be here in a few months. And how I all along said I wanted to have a HUGE party....and now? Not so much. I mean, I will definitely celebrate my 30th! But I don't think I really want to celebrate it with a big alcohol/food fest. I mean, really? Pay all that money for a bunch of pure CRAP that I refuse to eat regularly!?? Hmm.....If I really do end up doing anything, I think I will take the few really good friends I have to dinner somewhere and my splurge will be a big piece of chocolate cake. But otherwise, I think I'd rather spend my money on a new workout outfit or purse or something I'll use rather than consume. Guess I really am showing my age after all now.
But about the next 7 weeks. They are not going to get any easier. They will be tough. I'm down to 114 pounds and 14% body fat. And I feel and look great but the punishment to get these last few pounds off is killer. TWO workouts a day, EVERY day!!!! WEIGHT training 4 days a week, plus a plyometric workout, and a total of 7.3 hours of cardio in the week. The total time I train in a week is about 13 hours. Add on to that travel time to the gym, and it is easily 16 hours a week. And then I spend about 6 hours a week getting food prep done. So, that means 22 hours a week is just for show prep. That is a lot of time.
FOOD BREAK
Do you know that my Saturday still feels like a complete CHEAT day to me, and this is what I ate last Saturday:
Egg beater omelet for breakfast with a slice of Ezekiel toast.
1/2 cup oats with 1 scoop whey and 1/2 blueberries for lunch.
2 low fat waffles with sugar free syrup and 1 tbsp almond butter for a snack.
Whey protein powder and powdered peanut butter for a snack.
Steak, potato and broccoli for dinner.
A granola bar.
Dessert: whey protein powder with 1/2 cup pumpkin, 2 tbsp cool whip, and 1/4 cup granola.
I mean, if I could eat that every day I would be ecstatic!! But no, I only eat it on Saturday and I actually feel kind of GUILTY!!!!
IMPORTANT DISCOVERY!
I have discovered some amazing sugar free items this week too that I just have to share:
Walden Farms makes a sugar free fat free caramel dip, chocolate dip, and marshmallow fluff. You can find this in the specialty section for diabetics at the grocery store. I have not yet tried them, but I bought them. I plan on using 2 of them tomorrow and seeing just how good they taste. Check it out: http://www.waldenfarms.com/products/dip_marshmallow.html, I found mine at Kroger, but you can buy online.
I always use a sugar free syrup in my coffee or egg/oat pancakes. Well, I ran out of my vanilla. I went multiple times to both grocery stores to find it and they have not restocked. this really irks me. I LOVE that vanilla syrup and I'm kind of lost without it. Well, I went online to see about it...you will never believe what I discovered. there are only like 50 different flavors of that brand of sugar free syrup. The brand is Davinci. Go online and you will see: http://www.davincigourmet.com/. I ordered peanut butter, white chocolate, cookie dough, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, and macadamia nut. I could not believe all the choices. I was having a hard time picking them out! My coffee is going to be absolutely amazing from now on!!!! I can not wait to try them all out!!!!
See, it's these little things that keep me going and excited about my food. Once you are hooked on being healthy and trying new things, you just can't quit!!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Oh Carbs have never been so amazing....
I have had a ROUGH last few days and that is putting it mildly.
not to put anyone through a "pity party" because after all, this is what I wanted to do...BUT....In the last 3 days I have
1. Sobbed in my bathroom to the point I couldn't breathe
2. Felt dizzy like I could possibly pass out on more than one occasion
3. Practically OD'd on a pack of gum
4. Almost fell asleep at my job
5. Went through some actions without really remembering what I just did in the last 15 minutes.
So, it is suffice to say that I have lost it mentally. Or at least I had. Now I think some clarity is coming back. I went 3 days in a row low carb. That is the longest I've been on a low carb cycle. Usually it is only 1 day. 1 day is easy. THREE days totally sucks. Because I'm only eating like 1200 calories on those days. But I work out twice a day so I easily burn 600-700 calories. SO...not running on any fuel. Plus a stressful job.
Now today I'm back on my "normal" meal plan. Which is still very low carb compared to what most people eat. But sheesh....at least today I can have half an apple and green beans with my chicken for lunch! And I get to have more volume for dinner tonight as well. Thank the lord.
So I am feeling better.
I didn't have any weight change last week or body fat change. But I am not discouraged. I see changes taking place and can tell I will be ready to take the stage. I have just under 8 weeks now to perfect my body. I think it is all coming together. I just need to hang in there!
In other BIG news... I found a photographer to take my photos on Wednesday before the show. So I have a couple hour shoot with her (Robyn). She takes really un-traditional photos so I thought that would be great. I am going to take a couple photos in a bathing suit and another couple in a mini-jean skirt and crop top. I figure those will help show off all my hard work. I definitely wanted to have some professional photos taken to capture everything I've worked so hard for all this time. I mean, who knows if I'll be able to ever do it again? Especially after this crazy last few days. Ha!
I need to check in with my suit designer this week. I'm going to pay off my balance and check in to make sure I'm going to get it (hopefully by the end of the month?). I want to make sure it is going to fit after all!
Other things to do at this point is really to focus on what I need to bring to the show with me. I will be needing to pick up little things here and there over the next couple weeks. Oh, and I also need to figure out who the heck is going to be doing makeup at the show so I can book an appointment with them! Very important because I really don't know how I would be able to make my face match the skin tone of my body! It is going to be SOOOO Tan!
In food news, I discovered my new favorite dessert that I'm going to be eating as much as I can between now and the show:
pumpkin pie treat:
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup low fat granola (I like the Bare Naked Fit Vanilla almond)
2 packets splenda
pumpkin pie spice
cinnamon
fat free cool whip
You blend the pumpkin, spices, splenda, and whey in a blender. Then transfer to a small dish. Mix in the granolla. Then top with cool whip. I put this in the fridge to keep real cold for a couple hours then ate it right before bed. It was a delicious treat. It has about 300 calories, but all good for you and very low fat, high protein. I can eat this on Saturdays.
I have to be very careful now on Saturdays because there is no such thing as cheat/reward meals. I basically have to keep all sugar out of my diet. So when I pick foods to carb up on, it is like oatmeal with blueberries. This weekend I'm looking forward to having an omelet made with egg beaters and veggies, oatmeal with chocolate whey and almond butter, my pumpkin treat, and a baked potato and steak. I have to really watch the sugar content, so I'm trying to keep the amount below 50 grams on Saturday.
That is all for now. I'm off to eat half an apple. YAY!
not to put anyone through a "pity party" because after all, this is what I wanted to do...BUT....In the last 3 days I have
1. Sobbed in my bathroom to the point I couldn't breathe
2. Felt dizzy like I could possibly pass out on more than one occasion
3. Practically OD'd on a pack of gum
4. Almost fell asleep at my job
5. Went through some actions without really remembering what I just did in the last 15 minutes.
So, it is suffice to say that I have lost it mentally. Or at least I had. Now I think some clarity is coming back. I went 3 days in a row low carb. That is the longest I've been on a low carb cycle. Usually it is only 1 day. 1 day is easy. THREE days totally sucks. Because I'm only eating like 1200 calories on those days. But I work out twice a day so I easily burn 600-700 calories. SO...not running on any fuel. Plus a stressful job.
Now today I'm back on my "normal" meal plan. Which is still very low carb compared to what most people eat. But sheesh....at least today I can have half an apple and green beans with my chicken for lunch! And I get to have more volume for dinner tonight as well. Thank the lord.
So I am feeling better.
I didn't have any weight change last week or body fat change. But I am not discouraged. I see changes taking place and can tell I will be ready to take the stage. I have just under 8 weeks now to perfect my body. I think it is all coming together. I just need to hang in there!
In other BIG news... I found a photographer to take my photos on Wednesday before the show. So I have a couple hour shoot with her (Robyn). She takes really un-traditional photos so I thought that would be great. I am going to take a couple photos in a bathing suit and another couple in a mini-jean skirt and crop top. I figure those will help show off all my hard work. I definitely wanted to have some professional photos taken to capture everything I've worked so hard for all this time. I mean, who knows if I'll be able to ever do it again? Especially after this crazy last few days. Ha!
I need to check in with my suit designer this week. I'm going to pay off my balance and check in to make sure I'm going to get it (hopefully by the end of the month?). I want to make sure it is going to fit after all!
Other things to do at this point is really to focus on what I need to bring to the show with me. I will be needing to pick up little things here and there over the next couple weeks. Oh, and I also need to figure out who the heck is going to be doing makeup at the show so I can book an appointment with them! Very important because I really don't know how I would be able to make my face match the skin tone of my body! It is going to be SOOOO Tan!
In food news, I discovered my new favorite dessert that I'm going to be eating as much as I can between now and the show:
pumpkin pie treat:
1/2 cup pumpkin
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup low fat granola (I like the Bare Naked Fit Vanilla almond)
2 packets splenda
pumpkin pie spice
cinnamon
fat free cool whip
You blend the pumpkin, spices, splenda, and whey in a blender. Then transfer to a small dish. Mix in the granolla. Then top with cool whip. I put this in the fridge to keep real cold for a couple hours then ate it right before bed. It was a delicious treat. It has about 300 calories, but all good for you and very low fat, high protein. I can eat this on Saturdays.
I have to be very careful now on Saturdays because there is no such thing as cheat/reward meals. I basically have to keep all sugar out of my diet. So when I pick foods to carb up on, it is like oatmeal with blueberries. This weekend I'm looking forward to having an omelet made with egg beaters and veggies, oatmeal with chocolate whey and almond butter, my pumpkin treat, and a baked potato and steak. I have to really watch the sugar content, so I'm trying to keep the amount below 50 grams on Saturday.
That is all for now. I'm off to eat half an apple. YAY!
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