Hitt'n the Weights Again!

It has felt totally AWESOME hitting the weights again....getting back to the old intensity and working the heavy stuff! I've missed those kind of workouts sooo much! It just feels so good.

I'm still doing cardio (45 minutes after my weights sessions, 5 days a week). I'm trying to make sure I stay leaner now. I don't want to get as heavy as I was before contest prep.


My goals now are to get my strength back to where it was, focus more on my hams, glutes, calves, and lower back to build and tighten them up, add a bit more size and detail to the upper body, continue working abs (I hadn't worked abs in a long time before starting contest prep), and doing all this while trying to stay on the lean side.

THIS IS THE FUN STUFF!
I LOVE IT AND THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT!

1st Place Heavyweight

I competed in my first show this past weekend, October 27 at the NPC Texas State Championships. I weighed in at 162.5, which put me as a heavyweight. I won first place in my weight class, which also qualified me to compete in a national show. I have until the end of 2009 to use it before it's lost.

Preparing for this show and then competing has definitely been an experience. I'm not sure that bodybuilding is for me. I was pretty sure before the experience that competing really wasn't my thing, but was told that I should give it a try to make sure. At least now I can say that I have done it. Ummm....been there, done that, got the trophy, and now I'm over it! There is still a possibility that in the future I may do it again....but that is not before a year or more.

I am considering competing in powerlifting. I think that is more along the lines of what I love....lifting and strength! Although, I would want to stay more on the leaner side. But for now, I'm just letting my body recover and slowly getting back to my workouts. I can't wait to be 100% again and hitting the weights hard!

I'm finally able to enjoy 'normal' food! It has been wonderful! I've had pizza, some mexican food, chocolate, brownies, cheesecake, pancakes, and a few other samplings. Although, I'm still experiencing the 'rebound' (my body adjusting to regular food)....which is quite miserable. Hopefully within the next week or so my body will level out and things will be back to normal.

Kickin it at the Rodeo

Last night we went to the Pasadena Rodeo to hear my brother and his band (County Road 101). They had a great turn out and they sounded FANTASTIC! It was a lot of fun!


It was also good for me to get out and feel a bit "normal" for a while....even with all the stares and comments!





Only three weeks left of prep....I'm starting to get a bit nervous that I won't be ready in time. But I'm just going to keep with it, knowing that I will end up wherever I end up.


My energy levels have been way down and my body has been aching and hurting. I'm just taking it one day at a time....one cardio session at a time...til I finally reach my destination. Slowly, but surely, I'm getting there!

And The Tough Get Tougher!

I'm struggling with constant hunger pains every day now. In a way, I'm getting used to it! But I can't wait to finally be able to eat some yummy food and actually feel full and satisfied!
I find myself thinking and daydreaming about food a lot and have even started a list of foods I plan to eat that first week! I will continue to add to my list until my competition!


http://after-partyfoodwishlist.blogspot.com/

My body is getting a bit run down and aches a lot from all the cardio, which makes it harder to do the long sessions (60 minutes in the mornings and 50 minutes in the evenings). But I push myself through it, knowing that 4 weeks from today I will be finished with cardio! I just stay focused on one day at a time...getting through just that one day. With each day conquered, I am one day closer to my rest...closer to my goal...and closer to FOOD!

This training has pushed me to limits I have never been before. I can honestly say that I have become stronger in spirit, willpower, and discipline through it all. Without a doubt, I will finish....and finish on top!

Enjoying The Ride

For the past week I have been focused on my training and all has been good. I'm now just enjoying the ride! I have finally stopped stressing about my competition and have just let go. I have worked hard (for several years) building what I have. And now for the past 3 months, I have been doing grueling work unveiling it all! But I'm almost to my destination and the end is finally in sight...just 5 more weeks to go!

It's so thrilling and empowering to have made it this far (knowing that many can not endure this extreme training and dieting) and know that I'm almost to the finish line. Win or lose on stage...making it to that point is a victory! So now all that's left to do is finish unveiling the product of my sweat, tears, and sacrifice and showcase it all on stage next month!

Feeling Good

These past few days I have been feeling MUCH better. My last set of progress pics showed a lot of progress and we were all pleased with them. My coach didn't change anything in my diet or cardio, but said that at my next 5 day progress check (which will be on Tuesday) my diet will probably change a bit by possibly adding another one or two low carb days.


Tonight my husband and I will be going to meet the lady who is making my posing suit. Her name is Jodie (Fit N Flashy is the name of her business) and she is also competing at the NPC Texas State. We will be picking out the style, color, and fabric, along with getting my measurements. She already picked up a royal blue, crushed velvet material. She said when she saw it, she thought of me. I'm sure it will be perfect!

My body continues to make changes daily, which is exciting and encouraging! I'm getting to where I really don't even recognize my own body anymore...it has changed so much! I'm noticing more veins coming to the surface as well, which of course is a good sign. The ones in my pecs/chest are becoming more and more visible and am now starting to see some coming up on my quads.

Sacrifices

I had another rough couple of days.
I started dragging on Saturday and I hit bottom on Monday. It was so difficult to just think clearly that day, not to mention accomplish my workouts and attend a family function. Of course as you might have guessed, the family function had lots of yummy food and tons of even yummier dessert! It was very rough on me....with just my chicken breast and oatmeal, especially the way I felt on Monday. After leaving the function, I had to battle so much added frustration and once again the overwhelming feeling of wanting to quit this contest prep in order to feel "normal" again.

My experiences that day have taught me that I need to protect myself better. I have decided not to attend any more get-togethers or family functions (especially the ones centered around food) until after my competition. It's just too much for me to deal with, especially if it happens to be on a "low" day (and you never know when those are going to hit you).
I don't expect my family and friends to understand and, frankly, I'm not asking them to. I'm only asking that they respect my decision because it is what's best for me at this point. Preparing for this competition is the hardest thing I have ever done and in order for me to succeed, I have to stay focused, with as little distraction as possible.