3 Weeks to Go!
Three weeks from tomorrow is the day that I take the stage in Liberty, MO. I am really excited and I am enjoying seeing the muscle development I have worked hard for start to show, especially in my back, arms and abs. I had a slight setback earlier in the week where I was eating more than my allowed carbs. Now, I am back on track after having an email conversation with my coach, Paul Revelia. He is very helpful in being quick and to the point when I voiced my concern. He stated simply, Less than 30 days, stay on track and kill your workout today. That was all I needed and I haven't looked back since. I am training hard and staying on track with my diet, when I find myself backing off during my training session or feeling a little tired, I turn the intensity right back on and say "Kill it!" and I get right back into fat-burning mode. This is not the time to sabotage my diet or training, these last few weeks are critical and I have got to make the most of my time and really get the last bit of fat off my body, especially in my hips and butt. So I have been taking my BCAAs more often when I need them to keep the cravings low, I have discontinued watching the Food Network and reviewing recipes on Pinterest. I am curious to see what my coach will allow me to eat post-contest. There is an after-party at a pizza place for the competitors post-show, but I have read of competitors gaining 10-15 lbs in days after the show and I just don't want to wreck my body, so I will keep Paul on as my nutritional guru for several weeks after the show to avoid the post-show bingeing/weight gain that is so common. I would like to be no more than 10 lbs from contest condition in the off season, that would be ideal.
Once I got back on track with my eating (I went off track for 2 days and nothing too crazy, but enough to know that I needed to address it and refocus) my faith and reliance in God has been stronger. I am choosing to listen to more of my Christian rock to power me through my workouts, I am looking to God when I am hungry and asking for His strength because food is a weakness for me and this journey I am on is helping me to look at it in a balanced light of fuel for my workouts as well as pleasure upon the completion of my hard work. I am taking a healthy meal and really enjoying its flavor and texture and how my body utilizes it.
My latest lunch that I am enjoying is curried turkey meatballs with fresh spinach on a mini pita bread with a small amount of dilled sour cream, it is heavenly. It is not a lot of food but it is very satisfying.
Well, I just wanted to update my progress in this journey. I am enjoying the ride while it lasts!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
5 Weeks out....What?
Well, it has been awhile since I have updated this blog, I have been doing a lot of writing in my journal, lots of introspection has been taking place. I am back and ready to share the happenings of my contest prep. As my title indicates, I am 4 weeks from my show date of April 19th. I am excited and really feel I will be ready to take the stage. The scale has been a funny thing, I have been slimming down tremendously but the scale has moved 1 lb over the last week. It goes to show that the scale does not always represent all that is happening during fat loss, I am losing inches like crazy in my waist, hips and butt (FINALLY!) but still need to lose some more, but I am on my way. What I have learned this week is the importance of sleep in weight loss. Without a good night's sleep, it can really impact the hormones, cortisol in particular, here is a great article that discusses the pros and cons of cortisol http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm. I am learning on this journey that when I overschedule my day or the kids activities or saying "yes" to different opportunities, sometimes it can be overwhelming and if something comes up last minute, it really can add stress to the day. As a wife of a military pilot who is gone half of the month, and in the midst of preparing for a bodybuilding show, I need to say "no" more right now, and keep my schedule with larger margins. This philosophy can apply to anyone who feels constantly overwhelmed and stressed, examine your schedule, do you have moments of downtime in your day or is it booked solid until you collapse at home at the end of the day? Stress is not a bad thing, it helps push us to move and get things done, protects us in times of risk to ourselves or loved ones, but when our bodies are not allowed to relax, stress can be counterproductive and harmful to our bodies. So this week I am focused on getting a good nights rest, I make sure that I have some downtime before bed to unwind, and get myself and the kids to bed at a decent time. This Saturday, we were free from team sport commitments so we were able to sleep in and get a great night's rest.
Well, it has been awhile since I have updated this blog, I have been doing a lot of writing in my journal, lots of introspection has been taking place. I am back and ready to share the happenings of my contest prep. As my title indicates, I am 4 weeks from my show date of April 19th. I am excited and really feel I will be ready to take the stage. The scale has been a funny thing, I have been slimming down tremendously but the scale has moved 1 lb over the last week. It goes to show that the scale does not always represent all that is happening during fat loss, I am losing inches like crazy in my waist, hips and butt (FINALLY!) but still need to lose some more, but I am on my way. What I have learned this week is the importance of sleep in weight loss. Without a good night's sleep, it can really impact the hormones, cortisol in particular, here is a great article that discusses the pros and cons of cortisol http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm. I am learning on this journey that when I overschedule my day or the kids activities or saying "yes" to different opportunities, sometimes it can be overwhelming and if something comes up last minute, it really can add stress to the day. As a wife of a military pilot who is gone half of the month, and in the midst of preparing for a bodybuilding show, I need to say "no" more right now, and keep my schedule with larger margins. This philosophy can apply to anyone who feels constantly overwhelmed and stressed, examine your schedule, do you have moments of downtime in your day or is it booked solid until you collapse at home at the end of the day? Stress is not a bad thing, it helps push us to move and get things done, protects us in times of risk to ourselves or loved ones, but when our bodies are not allowed to relax, stress can be counterproductive and harmful to our bodies. So this week I am focused on getting a good nights rest, I make sure that I have some downtime before bed to unwind, and get myself and the kids to bed at a decent time. This Saturday, we were free from team sport commitments so we were able to sleep in and get a great night's rest.
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