47 days to go

So my whole approach to training for this competition is very different from last time. I had a significant amount of body fat to lose last time, and my goal was to be "lean" enough to compete. I love being in better shape this time around, stepping it up and really pushing myself to kill each workout in the gym. I wont say that I went through the motions last time, because I worked so hard, but there were some days where I wimped out a little by choosing a less challenging cardio or not giving my all through an entire training session. It just feels different this time.

I told my trainer no excuses, no half ass anything. No more warm up on the elliptical for 5 minutes I will run at least a mile on a good incline before each session with my trainer, and ass kicking cardio sessions throughout the week, the only day I won't do cardio is leg day and Sunday.

Today was a solid quad workout. We are breaking up leg workouts into 2 days. quads one day, glutes and hamstrings on another day. I love this, it really gives me the ability to focus of each muscle group, and hit it hard. This is our last week of "heavier" training. Starting next week, which will mark 6 weeks out and we will really pick up the pace.

As for the "diet" well it doesn't feel like a diet. I know what to eat and when and I am never hungry because I am eating all the time, right up until I go to bed. Now I said never hungry, but I do get cravings.. I'm human and there are some days where I want nothing more then dark choc and peanut butter and LOTS of it. I have insane will power and refuse until Oct 9th to indulge in those cravings...... I am so glad 2 Sundays ago I indulged in all of my favorite things:)

Next week we start a whole new split I'm a little nervous and excited.

52 days and counting

SO its back on again for me.. 52 days (under 8 weeks) till the Cape Cod show. I've enjoyed having the last few weeks off.. Although my training and eating were very solid I got to enjoy some adult drinks and foods that were off limits during my 100 days of prep for my first show. Just like last time I will avoid alcohol, sugar, dairy, fruit etc till the competition. I am sure there will be tough tempting days as summer is winding down and we created a south beach like atmosphere in our back yard. I only gained 5 pounds since the show, so my feeling is that this time will be a little easier. It seems like a lot of sacrifice, which I guess it is, but I LOVE it. I have never loved training for something so much. And just like last time I don't want to get up there and have one regret "if I had trained harder, if I had eaten cleaner" etc. That is what keeps me focused and also my trainer telling me "We have 8 pounds of SOFT to lose" normally not a phrase any chic wants to hear, but its the truth. This isn't rocking a cute dress at a party, its clear heals and a figure suit which does little to hide imperfections.
My goals are the same, to train my hardest, eat clean and see what happens. Whatever place I come in still doesn't matter to me in the least bit. I just want to finish, then of course have a victory meal and skinny rita!
I know a lot of people still don't get this, and unless you trained for this specifically you never would. Even Jay who lives with me and had seen me at my best/worst through this process is sometimes a little confused as to what I'm doing. He is supportive and knows when to just smile and wave and to not ask if I'm "ok". As much as I love this, there are days where its just hard to be 100% on, but I will do it:)
For the last few weeks we trained heavier and slower. Now it will start to crank back up again, functional days, more supersets and less rest time. Increasing steadily with cardio, and doing my cardio mostly at 5:30am on an empty stomach (tough for me). Diet gets a lot tighter, still cycling carbs but everything is weighed and measured and no cheat meals. Sunday was my last cheat day and it was a GOOD ONE.. Nachos for lunch, snacking on dark choc espresso beans though out the day, and choco chip cookies and kettle popcorn... I just had to get it all in before starting 8 weeks of tough work:)