Friday, March 30, 2012

A little dose of my reality...

Warning: I'm tired and rambling and a wee bit crazy....again!

While taking a few moments to reflect upon my prep thus far, roughly 13 weeks or so into it...on one hand, it's been the "easiest" prep yet and on the other hand, it's been mentally/emotionally one of the most difficult.

As far as the prep itself is concerned, yeah I'm tired and hungry and I hate cardio but to be honest this is the least amount of cardio I've done prepping and I'm getting more food than I have during any previous prep so as much as I complain at times, it really has been a pretty smooth ride. Physically, I am in the best shape of my life and while getting to this point hasn't been 'easy' by any means..it's been (aside from my ankle LOL) relatively painless. Again, it's all a learning process of my body and how it responds to the program...for which I owe all the thinking to my coach, Joe who has made this prep (as well as my previous ones) as least stressful as it can be. Of course, fat loss is never a linear process so some weeks have been better than others and at times I do feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. In the scheme of things, I've made great progress and I'm ready to give it hell the next 5 weeks to really pull this show together!

Now to get a little raw and honest here...
where my mental/emotional stability are concerned, in a nut shell..Imma hot mess! Life has been absolutely nuts over the past few months, I have a lot on my plate and to be honest the responsible thing for me to do would NOT be prepping for a show. At times, I beat myself up..I feel like my priorities get so fucked up. I have a laundry list of shit that should come before competing but my heart is driving me towards the stage. I have days where I sit and cry, wondering WTF am I doing? Then I pick myself up and remind myself that if I want it bad enough, I will make it happen..no matter what! Everyday I make choices...and I can't help but think that I'm making the wrong ones as far as what is really in the best interest, in the big picture. I don't quit, no matter what, even when the smart thing to do would be to "redirect"...I commit, I'm all in...maybe to a fault to a certain degree. I've been doing whatever I need to do to be at my best on the stage, even if other things fall by the wayside in the process. The stress and pressure I put on myself can really be overwhelming at times and I see the toll it takes on others as well.

I am fortunate to have a solid support system to help me along the way and at times, save me from myself. Things aren't perfect, they never will be but this is the position I'm in and I'm working with what I have and doing the best I possibly can. Sometimes, I just need to slow the fuck down and catch my breath.....

And if you've read this and survived my insanity....this is for you:
Yes! That is a PB and Oreo Brownie *drooooooooool*
















Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Ever-shrinking, girlie girl :)

HOLY SHIT BATMAN!
Just 5.5 weeks to go.......

This morning I had a full check in with the boss..scale, pics, the whole sha-bang! I was definitely panicked a little bit. I have been retaining water as I kinda sorta got my period over the weekend (I say 'kinda sorta" but I will spare ya the details LOL)..This is the first prep I have ever had to deal with this whole female bullshit so it's throwing my head for a loop at times. The good news is, the scale continues to drop!!!! I'm down to 113.2lbs after the little tweaks that Joe made after my last check in...OMG I feel soooo fuckin tiny! I ran through my quarter turns quickly for pics and of course, I picked them apart and pretty much hate them but boss man gave me the thumbs up and he's the one callin the shots..he's seeing the progress and we are gonna keep pushing forward!

I know this goes without saying, but I'm not the most girliest of bitches..SHOCKER! But, when it comes to prep and competing, the sight of my suit makes me giggle like a little girl :)) A VERY talented friend of mine (love you T!) blinged it out for me and OMFG she is gorgeous and I cannot wait to try it on! I am a very simple, low key kinda chick in my day to day life..I live in gym clothes with my hair tied up but when it comes to the stage, I can SEE the whole look..from my suit to my hair and tan all coming together. I am literally BEAMING at the thought of it!
Some girls like shoes and purses...I like a blinged out figure suits and spray tans..Mmmmm, I can smell the LSR already! Don't judge me ;-)

Random prep musings:
*
Slowly narrowing my T walk song down to a few, although still yet to be determined.

*Putting in some practice time on my posing. I wish I were bigger and I could write a novel picking myself apart but to be positive..I did see me some hammies and my delts are nice and veiny!

*Hungry, of course I am! Cravings have been intense..You name it, I want it! The Easter Bunny will be skipping me this year and I'd sell my mom for some candy...specifically, a chocolate bunny with a jar of PB to dip it in! (no offense mom).

*Cutting off my water intake at 8pm has helped me limit my pee interruptions during the night but throughout the day I am pretty much like a toddler.

*I would love some pasta right now...just sayin'

*Lately, I have been told I am "skinny" at least once per day..FYI: Skinny is insulting! I hate skinny, it's not a cute look..I strive to be anything but skinny! UGH! I feel like a fuckin twig right now and being called skinny makes me wanna fuckin scream!!!!!

*My prep "clumsiness" has set in. Its a safe bet that I will bump into something, knock something over and spill something...yes, this is typical "Nic" behavior but it's at a higher frequency right now.

Ok, so as of today there are no changes to the program! We are rollin forward til my Saturday check in........

Macros:
35g Fat/90g Carb/140g Protein (low)
35g Fat/130g Carb/140g Protein (med)
35g Fat/155g Carb/140g Protein (high)


Cardio:
3 45 min SS sessions per week
3 HIIT sessions per week (12 cycles)


Supplements:
Multi-V
Champion Nutrition Fish Oil
Champion Nutrition Thermo Gold
Champion Nutrition BCAA caps
Champion Nutrition Muscle Nitro PM
Champion Nutrition Power Creatine
Champion Nutrition Power Glutamine (post workout)
Champion Nutrition Amino Shooter Core (intra workout)
Champion Nutrition Whey (post workout/1 scoop)

Saturday, March 24, 2012

6 Weeks Out!

Oh shit, son! Just 6 more weeks til I take it outta the locker room and to the stage.....

I had my bi-weekly check in with Joe this morning and things are really moving along.

The scale dropped again, down to 114.6lbs...OMFG! I really cannot believe it :O) My progress is moving along pretty consistently at this point and every day I can SEE changes, to the point where I look in the mirror and wonder who the fuck that chick is looking back at me LOL! During posing practice yesterday I was like "Whoa, that bitch has hammies!"...Umm..that bitch was me! And yes, speaking of posing..I am starting to put work in more often there, I gotta get this body conditioned cause I'll be damned if I'm one of the chicks on stage that are trembling etc..I want my posing to look effortless (even tho it's anything but!). Anywho, I got a pat on the back from the boss and we're staying the course til my next check in when pictures (ugh) will accompany my stats...Oh boy, what fun..my favorite (insert eye roll here).


Overall, I'm feeling good. Of course I'm hungry and all that usual prep shit but I have to say, it's not "sooooo" bad or unbearable..do I complain?? Umm..hello?! Have we met?!? My energy comes and goes, as each day is different. I keep the diet as simple as possible, the less fucking with my spreadsheets the better..the only real switch I'm making is cutting back on fruit. I'll still have it on my high carb days but that's it. No I'm not worried about the sugar or any of that shit, I just want oats..something more filling and substantial energy-wise. I have been monitoring my water intake a bit which has helped me cut the night time interruptions to a minimum, so I'm getting a little more rest each night..and any bit is welcomed! I'm still getting close to 2 gallons per day but I am cutting it off at 8pm each night.


As far as my training itself is concerned...it's decent, nothing noteworthy..I sure as fuck ain't hitting any PR's anytime soon, but right now it's all about giving it my everything each time I step in the gym..even if some days it isn't much. The main concern now is to keep my body healthy so it will continue to progress over the last 6 weeks. Now, something I havent really made mention of (because I figure if I ignore it, then it's not there LOL!) is my right ankle. It's been bothering me for a few weeks now, making cardio even more unpleasant than usual. This is something that occurred during my last prep as well, so I have been opting for the spin bike for HIIT instead of running but either way, I'm getting shit done and a little ache or pain will not be an excuse to give less than my best effort. And that is fuckin that!

Okey dokey...Plan of action remains the same, til the next check in!


Macros:

35g Fat/90g Carb/140g Protein (low)

35g Fat/130g Carb/140g Protein (med)

35g Fat/155g Carb/140g Protein (high)


Cardio:

3 45 min SS sessions per week

3 HIIT sessions per week (12 cycles)


Supplements:

Multi-V

Champion Nutrition Fish Oil

Champion Nutrition Thermo Gold

Champion Nutrition BCAA caps

Champion Nutrition Muscle Nitro PM

Champion Nutrition Power Creatine

Champion Nutrition Power Glutamine (post workout)

Champion Nutrition Amino Shooter Core (intra workout)

Champion Nutrition Whey (post workout/1 scoop)

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Cha-Cha-Changesssss

This morning I had a mid-week check-in with Joe, 6.5 weeks til show time and things are definitely moving along. I can SEE and FEEL changes in myself daily so I was really looking forward to updating him. The scale saw a slight drop, down to 115.2lbs...I was pleased to see that because as little as I am, at this point there really aren't going to be any more BIG drops, so as long as it continues downward I am happy......

Well, that was until I got in front of the camera :( Ohfuckmylife!!!!!! Imma be honest here, I was mortified when I saw them. I looked skinny and scrawny and I'm sure plenty of people would say how "great" I look but the girl in those pictures is NOT the one who I want anywhere near the stage. Taking them first thing in the morning, flat and unfed is not a flattering look...I see them and swear that I look better after eating all day, getting my fluids and training, so yes...a lengthy/cranky email was attached with said pictures. Joe gave me a little pep talk (as he always does LOL!) and while he's happy with my progress and feels that I am on the right track, he did make some tiny tweaks to my program. Nothing drastic, a slight drop in carbs on my low days and adding in a few more sprints to my HIIT days..overall, just enough to keep this train running. Now, with all that being said....I of course, had to snap a quick pic later in the day after training and eating...feeling and looking fuller and sent that over to him! OMG I must drive that poor man crazy. I swear he has nightmares about me ;-)

Overall, I have to say that I am in really good spirits! Yes, I'm tired and hungry..I'm freezing my ass off and peeing more often than not..but, I can SEE this whole puzzle coming together. I can't fully SEE the finished product but little by little I am envisioning the package I will take to the stage and I couldn't be more excited!

Oddities and tidbits:
*Guess who has to pee!?!? ME ME ME!!!!
*I officially have NO jeans that I can wear...my smallest pair (size 1) can be pulled on without unbuttoning them :o) God, I am so fuckin little!!!
*I've been running through different music, kicking around some ideas for my T-Walk..I gotsa bring da sass!
*((GRRRRRR))) <---that was my tummy
*Food porn and obsession in full force! Between the Food Network and Google, its amazing I get anything done.
*I finally started tanning and damn, laying in that bed is one of the highlights of my day.
*Please, save your anti-tanning rants for another time.
*In the middle of the night, Josh ate PB...The smell woke me up. I am so fucked up LOL!

And that 'bout sums me up for now...

6.5 Weeks Out and the plan of action til my next check in:

Macros:

35g Fat/90g Carb/140g Protein (low)
35g Fat/130g Carb/140g Protein (med)
35g Fat/155g Carb/140g Protein (high)

Cardio:
3 45 min SS sessions per week
3 HIIT sessions per week (12 cycles)

Supplements:
Multi-V
Champion Nutrition Fish Oil
Champion Nutrition Thermo Gold
Champion Nutrition BCAA caps
Champion Nutrition Muscle Nitro PM
Champion Nutrition Power Creatine
Champion Nutrition Power Glutamine (post workout)
Champion Nutrition Amino Shooter Core (intra workout)
Champion Nutrition Whey (post workout/1 scoop)

Sunday, March 18, 2012

7 Weeks Out!

My head is on a roller coaster ride, so consider that a warning before you continue reading....

This weekend, I am already 7 Weeks out from the Pro Bowl and I really can't believe it!
I had another solid week, weight continues to drop and I am sitting at 115.5lbs as of yesterday morning!!! My body is responding to the program the Joe has laid out, so there haven't been many tweaks or changes to the plan of action and I'm pretty much flying on auto pilot right now...eat, pee, train, pee, cardio, pee, somewhat sleep, pee and REPEAT!

This weekend I also went to posing class for the first time in a couple of months and it was a few hours I desperately needed. I got some great feedback on my physique and the changes that I am making with my posing to really display myself in the best possible way. Like I said in my previous blogs, I have not been practicing posing like I should be and with just 7 weeks left, it's time to get serious about it. I'll be damned if I bust my ass to get on stage, only to fuck it up by not hitting my poses dead on or by not having the stamina to withhold a long comparison round. Right now, my conditioning and transitions need work so I'll start hitting it a few times a week.

The last week I've pretty much been all over the place mentally...

One minute I'm feeling great about my progress and then the next, I just wonder if I'll be ready or if I'm even going to be bringing anything to the stage.
I finally mustered up the balls to try on my suit and here I sit, 7 weeks out and a good 5-6lbs HEAVIER than where I was the last time I competed and GASP that fucker fits!!!!!! I literally could not believe my own eyes when seeing myself, my jaw dropped..I shocked myself. Now, in typical Nic fashion I am FAR from content..and that moment of pride is quickly fleeting as I think that I look really little..skinny and skinny is NOT cute in my book. I can still see the fat clinging on for dear life to my ass and hammies..overall, I feel "skinny fat" and that just pisses me off. The reality is my body has changed so much over the last year+ that I sometimes have to step back at realize that I am a never-ending work in progress...Today, I sit in the BEST shape of my life so while I'm not where I want to be, I am confident that I am on my way.

Overall, things are coming together at a fairly consistent pace and while this prep hasn't exactly been stress free it has been pretty painless....thus far ;-) I've had my moments of beaming smiles and moments of tears...I'm sure there will be more of both over the course of the next 7 weeks but what can I say? It's just what I do....I fuckin love this shit <3

As per the boss, the plan remains unchanged til my next check in on Wednesday....

Macros:
35g Fat/105g Carb/140g Protein (low)
35g Fat/130g Carb/140g Protein (med)
35g Fat/155g Carb/140g Protein (high)

Cardio:
3 45 min SS sessions per week
3 HIIT sessions per week

Supplements:
Multi-V
Champion Nutrition Fish Oil
Champion Nutrition Thermo Gold
Champion Nutrition BCAA caps
Champion Nutrition Muscle Nitro PM
Champion Nutrition Power Creatine
Champion Nutrition Power Glutamine (post workout)
Champion Nutrition Amino Shooter Core (intra workout)
Champion Nutrition Whey (post workout/1 scoop)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Ain't no slowin' me down!

Hot damn, this train is rollin along!

I had a mid-week check in with Joe this morning and my weight dropped again! I am now sitting at 116.4lbs with just under 8 weeks to go...OMFG!!!!! I've been holding quite a bit of water the past few days and I got my period on Monday, so as you can only imagine...I was nervous and anxious over stepping on the scale this morning, so seeing over a half pound drop was FAB-U-LOUS! Joe is pleased with how things are going and didn't make any changes to my program....yet ;-) I will be seeing him in person this weekend, so he'll evaluate me and decide what the next step will be. I'm definitely happy about the way things are moving, I am tighter each day and I can seen new lines..new veins daily!

I'm feeling much better overall than I have been lately. I've been sleeping a bit better, a little more rested. My schedule has changed as well...I have been and will be for the most part training in the morning which as much as I'm not crazy about it, seems to be for the best right now. Normally, I like training after work in the evening but I am totally zapped for energy by the end of the work day so the shift change could be working out to my advantage. In the end, whether morning...noon...or night, Imma do what I gotta do and shit will get done!

Random Prep Musings:
*Yes, I am STARVING! The cravings have been kickin in full force...food porn is a-plenty!
*Drink, pee and REPEAT!
*I am shrinking! Literally, my clothes are falling off of me :o) My 'off season' jeans, I can now take on and off WITHOUT unbuttoning them!!! I look like I am wearing my big sisters clothing (if I had a sister LOL!)
*Have I mentioned I am hungry?!?! A pepperoni pizza from Papa John's would hit the spot right about now....DROOOOOOOL
*I have had to break while typing this to go pee..just sayin'
*The weather is beautiful, an early spring and I am FREEZING all the time....and my BF is hot all the time! He's sleeping in pretty much nothing and I have a hoodie and 3..yes, 3 blankets!

Ok, enough babbling...
As far as my plan of action, at 7.5 weeks out my diet and training will remain the same, the only slight tweak will be to my supplementation. I will be making sure I get BCAA's, Glutamine etc each day. With training, cardio and eating in a deficit..I gotta make sure my body can recover as well as it possibly can.

Macros:
35g Fat/105g Carb/140g Protein (low)
35g Fat/130g Carb/140g Protein (med)
35g Fat/155g Carb/140g Protein (high)

Cardio:
3 45 min SS sessions per week
3 HIIT sessions per week

Supplements:
Multi-V and Vit-C
Champion Nutrition Fish Oil
Champion Nutrition Thermo Gold
Champion Nutrition BCAA caps
Champion Nutrition Muscle Nitro PM
Champion Nutrition Power Creatine (post workout)
Champion Nutrition Power Glutamine (post workout)
Champion Nutrition Amino Shooter Core (intra workout)
Champion Nutrition Whey (post workout/1 scoop)



Sunday, March 11, 2012

8 Weeks Out!

8 Weeks, 2 Months...anyway you slice it (cake? wut?!), show time is almost here!

I had a full check in with Joe this weekend and it went really well. My weight was down AGAIN..just a slight drop but enough to get me pumped. I'm sitting at 117lbs on the dot and with just 8 weeks to go I am feeling really positive that things are coming together. I also stripped down and got in front of the camera for some progress pics and I feel like I can FINALLY see the changes in my physique. I'm at the point where my legs are starting to come in a bit and my ass is getting higher :) YAY! Joe is pleased with my progress and where I am at so as of now, we aren't making any changes to the program and just rolling along until my next mid-week check in on Wednesday. One thing that stands out is my lack of posing, I have NOT been practicing like I should, so for the next 8 week I am going to be putting some serious posing time in!

Mentally, I am feeling really good about my progress..Yes, I am hard on myself and ALWAYS on the quest to be better or want more but I can see the changes that I've made and how far I've come. Obviously, I could pick these pictures apart if I wanted to..and I did for a hot second but in looking back (which can suck, but that's why we take progress pics) I am light years ahead of where I was during my last prep at 8 weeks out. I'm 4.2lbs LESS now and carry MORE size than ever before. The reality is, pictures don't lie and I can beat myself up for not being where I wish I was...I have to give myself credit for how far I've come. I've put the work in, I'm doing all I can and the results show that.

As far as the prep itself is concerned...It's kickin' my ass :(
I am beat..my energy is next to none. I am starving 24/7..even after eating, my tummy is screaming for more. I am drinking a TON of water, peeing pretty much every 15min LOL and unfortunately not getting nearly enough sleep...even if I get a good amount, I don't ever feel "rested". I've been doing pretty well cutting back on artificial sweeteners but at this point my energy drinks are getting me through the day. I give it my all in the gym, even if some days that isn't much..I don't bail on my training or my cardio..I get it done, even if it's less than stellar, there is no quit in me.

In the end, I'll whine and bitch about being tired, hungry or whatever but I love this sport...It's just what I do.

Ok, enough babbling...onto the goods!

8 Weeks Out/117.0lbs


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The wheels are turning....


After surviving Arnold weekend, I had my check in with the boss this morning and I am thrilled to say that not only did I survive my trip...this bitch THRIVED! I had a significant drop in the scale today, sitting at 117.4lbs with just under 9 weeks to go! I am just 7lbs away from my stage weight from the last competition, but I look completely different...I am carrying more size than I have in the past and my conditioning is better at this point than was the case during my last prep. Joe was pleased with the work I'm putting in and how things are progressing but of course, there is no time to get content...As we all know, the leaner you get...the slower the fat comes off so it's still full steam ahead.

As much as I try (try being the key word) to not let the scale get me too high or too low, it was a great feeling to see my work paying off. More than just the number on the scale, I am seeing changes daily...waist is getting tighter, new veins etc...it's all coming together. All of my clothes are starting to fall off me and hang a little differently..the booty is no longer filling out my jeans...the double edged sword of dieting ;-)

Now, with all that said....
Holy sweet baby Jesus, this prep is flying by!
This is now the point where things start getting crazy...or crazier shall I say. I'm in the beginning stages of getting all my ducks in a row with regards to my hotel stay, entry etc...I've already got my spray tan scheduled, the second I booked that...shit got real! Kicking around different music choices and I have things in the works for my suit...and no, don't ask cause you are getting no details 'bout that!

As far as the plan of action, no changes for now.
Going to stay the course til my next check in...

Macros:

35g Fat/105g Carb/140g Protein (low)
35g Fat/130g Carb/140g Protein (med)
35g Fat/155g Carb/140g Protein (high)

Cardio:
3 45 min SS sessions per week
3 HIIT sessions per week

Supplements:
Multi-V and Vit-C
Champion Nutrition Fish Oil
Champion Nutrition Thermo Gold
Champion Nutrition Power Glutamine (post workout)
Champion Nutrition Amino Shooter Core (intra workout)
Champion Nutrition Whey (post workout/1 scoop)

Monday, March 5, 2012

Traveling, Arnold weekend and 9 weeks out!



Whew...

What a busy last week it has been! As many of you may know, I attended Arnold in support of my boyfriend, Josh who competed at the XPC Pro Powerlifting meet over the weekend. This was his weekend to shine and I am so proud of him...To take the platform and bench with some of the world greatest lifters is an amazing accomplishment. I am motivated and inspired beyond words. It was a crazy busy, yet fun weekend, made some stops to see some friends at the expo...A special shout out to Mike Hoover at the Autism Make it Fit Foundation booth and my friends and fellow athletes at the Champion Nutrition booth. As everyone knows, it's a hectic weekend and unfortunately I wasn't able to see/meet up with as many people as I would have liked so I'm sorry to those I missed :(

Now, aside from the craziness that is Arnold weekend..I am 9 weeks out from the Pro Bowl! Going away and traveling for 4 days while in the middle of my prep was enough to make my head spin right off my neck! I wanted to make this trip super easy on Josh as he had enough to worry about so I tried my best not to get too overwhelmed or obsessive (key word being "tried"). Between my luggage and coolers, you would think I was going overseas...for a month! I was able to prep/pack up 4 days worth of food and supplements so that I hit my numbers down to the last macro...Even though I thought I was prepared, some of my food ended up going bad...that's what ya get for making a 9hr car ride LOL! After the initial panic set in, I was able to work with what I had and still hit my macros. Thank god for protein powder...it's a life saver! As far as my training is concerned, I was able to get my cardio sessions in and made it to the gym for a quad workout. Overall, it wasn't the most optimal of situations but, I got it done...my diet was on point and I didn't miss a beat.


Obviously, being away from home I didn't check in this weekend..touched base with the boss but no stats update. If you think I'm getting on any other scale than my own, you have bumped your head...even though the one at the hotel was rumored to measure light and I was tempted, I didn't even go there ;-) I am now back home, catching up on work and things around the house...back in the swing of things as far as my prep goes and I will be checking in with a full update on Wednesday.


In closing....

Make sure to "like" The Autism Make it Fit Foundation page and Champions Fitness Network on Facebook to get great Arnold Expo coverage as well as exciting up and coming events/products....and basically, just do it cause I said so :)


And that's a wrap!

xo