I can't believe I'm only 18 days out from my very first NPC (a national qualifier at that! Go big or go home right?) show. It seems like it was just yesterday when I said 18 weeks out would be good time for me to start training. Time flew by. It definitely didn't hurt that I was so busy at work but time flew by because I really enjoyed (okay, maybe I had a couple of not so pretty moments) but overall, the journey has been great and that's what Yoko and I wanted to make sure from the very beginning.
During the past 16 weeks, I learned that I can push myself way outside of my comfort zone. Training forced me to reprioritize and really focus on me. It taught me that it's okay to be this kind of selfish. That anything can be accomplished with dedication, determination and will. It taught me that no matter what kind of craziness is happening with other aspects of my life, I can control my mind and body. I also realized that with working out, pushing myself to exhaustion is actually the most relaxing part of my day. I get to the gym and zone out and not think about anything else but myself and focusing on improving my health.
I've become much stronger and capable of things I didn't think would be possible. I'm happier and healthier than ever before and quite frankly it doesn't hurt that I'm starting to look pretty darn good! :)
Well here's to the next 18 days and beyond!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Don't Let Life Get in the Way of Training and Training in the Way of Life
A couple of weeks ago, we went up to the mountains for our annual snowboarding trip. We had a large cabin and about 10 of us. I knew that this trip was happening and it was going to be during a time when I'm about a month out and no cheat meals. I also knew that it was at a point in my training where I couldn't let up on my workouts.
I made sure that I was more than prepared for it. I did my researched and found a gym nearby that I could go to and get my workouts in. I also made sure that people in the cabin knew that I was training and they were all very supportive and even recruited Vince, my brother in law and his room mate to workout with me!
On our first day there, I was in the kitchen prepping my food for the next few days. I made sure that I brought my necessities from home (scale, rice cooker, fresh produce/protein, supplements and tupperware, etc).
I got up early to go to the gym and get my morning workout in before we head out to the slopes. I also did not stay for night boarding so I can go to the gym and get my night workout in after boarding. Working legs twice a week and boarding all day is no joke! There were times when my legs just gave out on me while boarding down the mountain but it was all worth it! I saw boarding as extra cardio sessions especially in that powder!
I also made sure that I had alarms set on my phone so I knew exactly when it was time to eat. Vince of course the supporting husband that he is, wore a back pack which had all the meals, water and supplements I needed during the time we are on the slopes. We stopped in the middle of the runs and sat down and ate. My food was cold but the view was definitely unbeatable!
I knew one thing that would be hard would be the part when all of us would be going out to eat. We hit certain specialty food places during these trips and I knew that I wouldn't be able to enjoy all that deliciousness but I did not let this get in the way of hanging out with friends and family. I either ate my food before we went out or brought it with me to the restaurant (depending on what time it was). One day, I got to eat at the restaurant. It fell on a day where I could have lean steak for dinner.
I made sure that I was more than prepared for it. I did my researched and found a gym nearby that I could go to and get my workouts in. I also made sure that people in the cabin knew that I was training and they were all very supportive and even recruited Vince, my brother in law and his room mate to workout with me!
On our first day there, I was in the kitchen prepping my food for the next few days. I made sure that I brought my necessities from home (scale, rice cooker, fresh produce/protein, supplements and tupperware, etc).
I got up early to go to the gym and get my morning workout in before we head out to the slopes. I also did not stay for night boarding so I can go to the gym and get my night workout in after boarding. Working legs twice a week and boarding all day is no joke! There were times when my legs just gave out on me while boarding down the mountain but it was all worth it! I saw boarding as extra cardio sessions especially in that powder!
I also made sure that I had alarms set on my phone so I knew exactly when it was time to eat. Vince of course the supporting husband that he is, wore a back pack which had all the meals, water and supplements I needed during the time we are on the slopes. We stopped in the middle of the runs and sat down and ate. My food was cold but the view was definitely unbeatable!
I knew one thing that would be hard would be the part when all of us would be going out to eat. We hit certain specialty food places during these trips and I knew that I wouldn't be able to enjoy all that deliciousness but I did not let this get in the way of hanging out with friends and family. I either ate my food before we went out or brought it with me to the restaurant (depending on what time it was). One day, I got to eat at the restaurant. It fell on a day where I could have lean steak for dinner.
I know they felt bad for me that I didn't get to eat what they were eating but I told them not to. It was a choice that I'm doing it and it really wasn't bad that I wasn't able to eat with them. It would be worse if I had stayed at home and didn't go out with them at all. I just couldn't do that. I couldn't alienate myself because of my training. That's ridiculous. If that's how it is during training, how could anyone keep it up during "off season"?
Besides, me not eating means more table space for their food, in front of me... Just like this...while I enjoy my green tea..
Vince and I went over at friend's house for dinner. She was asking if she needed to prepare anything special for me. I said no. We had to bring food anyway, so we brought kale salad and lean steak with great marinade. I fixed my plate of salad before adding the extra stuff like nuts, cranberries and dressing for everyone else. We enjoyed the same delicious and healthy food but mine was just slightly modified. Being on a "special diet" shouldn't be a big deal, especially when it comes to hanging out with friends and family around food. I eat what I'm supposed to and not bring any attention to it. As a matter of fact, I've changed so many minds about how healthy and clean food can be delicious as well!
I'm a big believer of with a little extra effort, training should not get in the way of life. Preparing and planning is the key to success!
Saturday, March 15, 2014
First Suit Fitting
Got to try on my competition suit for the first time today! Love the color! Right amount of bling! I think it'll look really great once I get a bit darker with my tan.
We have to make some minor adjustments with the bottom, make it smaller, if that's even possible. I felt like I was walking around with my butt hanging out (technically it is). I also love the jellies that makes me look like I actually have boobs since my very small boobs are now pecs.
We get to have second fitting next week and she will have the rhinestones added on the suit! I'm getting excited. Exactly 4 weeks from today!
Sorry, the lighting in the locker room wasn't ideal and excuse the post workout, early Saturday morning face.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Posing #3 - Four Weeks Out
I started a post regarding my first posing class but somehow the draft magically disappeared. Anyhow, I had my third posing class with Yoko this morning and I'll have my second one with the group tomorrow! Tomorrow also marks 4 weeks until the show. Yikes!!
Well, let me tell you a little something about posing: that shit is HARD! OMG. I was so sore from this morning. Chest up as if someone is pulling a string from your heart, tilt your hip down like you're pouring water out of it, tilt your booty as if you had a tail or an analogy that was use today, a flashlight out of your booty and you're trying to shine that light on the back wall, all without bending over, stretch your abs, show off your obliques, legs straight and don't forget to be a little flirty and a big ol smile on your face and make it all seem natural!
Definitely not easy and at times frustrating but practice makes perfect! I have 4 weeks to perfect these moves/poses.
I'm leaning out nicely but still have some body fat to lose so we're increasing my cardio a bit and changing my diet just a little bit as well. It's home stretch!
Well, let me tell you a little something about posing: that shit is HARD! OMG. I was so sore from this morning. Chest up as if someone is pulling a string from your heart, tilt your hip down like you're pouring water out of it, tilt your booty as if you had a tail or an analogy that was use today, a flashlight out of your booty and you're trying to shine that light on the back wall, all without bending over, stretch your abs, show off your obliques, legs straight and don't forget to be a little flirty and a big ol smile on your face and make it all seem natural!
Definitely not easy and at times frustrating but practice makes perfect! I have 4 weeks to perfect these moves/poses.
I'm leaning out nicely but still have some body fat to lose so we're increasing my cardio a bit and changing my diet just a little bit as well. It's home stretch!
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