5 weeks out till June 25th show. I'm excited and a little worried that I wont be ready. But I can only bust ass for the next 5 weeks and see what happens. My goal is always to improve each time, I've been a little off not as hard core, but also not beating myself up as much. I burnt out a little, but back on track and excited for bikini season:)
Going to West Palm Beach for Memorial Day weekend, packing all my supps/shakes/figure food, fortunately the place has a great gym and I'll hit the sand for some good beach runs. I could lie and say I wont enjoy a skinny drink, but I know me too well, and may indulge just a little. Q-leani-tini's only! We fly back Memorial day, and from then out I will be in hermit mode till the show.. This trip is over due, excited to get away, have some alone time and enjoy the long weekend with good friends and SUN!
I'm studying for my PT cert again, a little annoyed I let it expire but excited to get back into fitness and training again. Competing has taught me so much and also showed me how ass backwards I was doing things before. Like for example one diet I did before that had me on 800 calories a day. Ummmmm lets just say I was a total bitch and only lasted 3 days. Its pretty simple eat clean, train hard and have proper rest days. When I gain I know exactly why, so its learning to limit the wine and crap, when I'm not "in season"..
I have some big plans and I'm the queen of biting off more than I can chew, but excited to get back to what I love doing..
blogger
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
40 days out (+7) yay!
SO found out the original show I wanted to do, but couldn't due to scheduling conflict, changed dates and now I can do that one.. Its closer, in Carver MA, and gives me one more week to train. Lots of new changes all around..
Started working full time, so meals, training and more importantly prioritizing family had to be carefully arranged. Just proof that if you want it bad enough its possible. Yes it requires prep and planning, but it can be done. Too many excuses as to why we can't eat better, and make time to exercise. My new Vitamix is a GOD SEND and enables me to make quick fresh healthy organic meals, super quick!! (seriously should do sales for this company, I am so sold!) with that and the bread machine, I am all about making my own foods, minus the crap;) Oh and I'm trying to be a semi-vegan... raw-vegan too! Bought a cool vegan cookbook, with lots of info, vegan essentials, and creative recipes.. I'm excited to make my own veggie burgers out of just veggies, and not some frozen sodium loaded alternative in the food store.. Also cool to know its just not all about tofu.. Eating used to be all about being thin for me, in my older wiser age, I'm learning its first and for most about health, the weight takes care of itself after that..
Jay is totally on board, he finally realized its about health and not just weight or being "fit".. A few enlightening documentaries later, and hes reading every food label and Googling superfoods, and giving me advice.. I had to tell him to settle down a little, talked him out of buying a 10lb bag of raw cocoa powder, and handed him a beer (which he complained wasn't organic, WHO R U!!??) He's heard all these things from me for years, but I'm just his wife.. what do I know? Joking aside I'm very proud of him, shocked, but happy to see him making healthy changes on his own.. I'm also happy he not only doesn't bitch ab0ut me buying only organic foods, he is refusing to eat anything else.. Is it more money? Yes, but for a reason and worth it..
I'm by no means perfect, sometimes on my quest of health and organic superpower status, I take it too far... Like my idea for brownie bread. I couldn't try it, but my kids faces said it all. Brownies should be brownies and bread should be bread... Per Olivia.. I make so many different breads from the machine, but Travis still wants white bread. So store bought organic "soft white wheat" wins.. but I do have to say the vitamix ice cream was a hit...
SO under 7 weeks to go, and I feel so good this time around.. So much more energy compared to last time.. Time to crank it up.. Workouts will change, cardio will increase, etc. But its fun, I love it, and wouldn't do it if that weren't the case..
Started working full time, so meals, training and more importantly prioritizing family had to be carefully arranged. Just proof that if you want it bad enough its possible. Yes it requires prep and planning, but it can be done. Too many excuses as to why we can't eat better, and make time to exercise. My new Vitamix is a GOD SEND and enables me to make quick fresh healthy organic meals, super quick!! (seriously should do sales for this company, I am so sold!) with that and the bread machine, I am all about making my own foods, minus the crap;) Oh and I'm trying to be a semi-vegan... raw-vegan too! Bought a cool vegan cookbook, with lots of info, vegan essentials, and creative recipes.. I'm excited to make my own veggie burgers out of just veggies, and not some frozen sodium loaded alternative in the food store.. Also cool to know its just not all about tofu.. Eating used to be all about being thin for me, in my older wiser age, I'm learning its first and for most about health, the weight takes care of itself after that..
Jay is totally on board, he finally realized its about health and not just weight or being "fit".. A few enlightening documentaries later, and hes reading every food label and Googling superfoods, and giving me advice.. I had to tell him to settle down a little, talked him out of buying a 10lb bag of raw cocoa powder, and handed him a beer (which he complained wasn't organic, WHO R U!!??) He's heard all these things from me for years, but I'm just his wife.. what do I know? Joking aside I'm very proud of him, shocked, but happy to see him making healthy changes on his own.. I'm also happy he not only doesn't bitch ab0ut me buying only organic foods, he is refusing to eat anything else.. Is it more money? Yes, but for a reason and worth it..
I'm by no means perfect, sometimes on my quest of health and organic superpower status, I take it too far... Like my idea for brownie bread. I couldn't try it, but my kids faces said it all. Brownies should be brownies and bread should be bread... Per Olivia.. I make so many different breads from the machine, but Travis still wants white bread. So store bought organic "soft white wheat" wins.. but I do have to say the vitamix ice cream was a hit...
SO under 7 weeks to go, and I feel so good this time around.. So much more energy compared to last time.. Time to crank it up.. Workouts will change, cardio will increase, etc. But its fun, I love it, and wouldn't do it if that weren't the case..
Thursday, February 17, 2011
58 days, great week, weekly changes, and family
I love my countdown clock on this blog.. haven't posted in a couple weeks so saw it today when I logged in.. wow 58 days, almost 8 weeks to go. There are good and not so good days when competing, dieting and training at 100% but I have to say this week was pretty cool. Instead of being a solo mission I feel this time around I have more support on the home front. Not that they didn't care, or weren't proud of me, but it felt like just my "thing". I couldn't share it with anyone and have them understand why this was so important.
I'll be honest, there were a lot of days during training for competition 1 & 2 that I dropped the ball on my culinary duties for my family. They would eat out, or order pizza once or twice a week, still overall choosing healthier restaurants and food (fresh city etc) and what was eaten at home and lunches were good healthy meals.. This time around so much different.. I cook all the time, of course for me, but for them too. My meals are entirely different from what they eat, but we still eat together as much as we can. This week so far we've eaten at our dining room table mon-wed, I can honestly say that hasn't happened in a loooong time..
Listen, I'm not trying to paint some picture of the perfect family changed by healthy eating.. Because trust me its not that at all.. Jay worked from home the other day so we had lunch together, so sweet right? Yup, until I went into psycho mode and went off about portion control and choices and discipline blah blah blah... Jay looks at me and says "YOU ARE THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE ASS NAG" He was a little right.. Like we don't need to talk about this all the time. Its just hard not to for me, I love this and think everyone else should be as interested as I am.. But sort of like him talking work stuff, we each sound like Charlie Browns teacher to the other.. Live and let live right??? I have to say he's trying, and making a conscious effort to be more aware.. its not his weight which is the lowest its been since I've known him, its high BP, and other issues that are OMG fixable with proper nutrition and EXERCISE..... baby steps;)
My kids love cooking, and/or shopping with me. We made tacos the other night and not surprising how 3 of our tacos, had significantly less fat, calories and sodium then one taco bell taco.. Olivia helped make our first organic bread in the bread machine.. That thing is just amazing, great feeling to buy all natural ingredients and make your own bread! This morning I made them french toast with the cinnamon raisin bread.. Yummy:)
I don't get to have what they are right now, but it really doesn't bother me. My "diet" doesn't feel like a diet.. I love what I'm eating, and I just feel good. My calories get lower every 2 weeks, minor adjustments as I get closer to the show.. I have moments of insanity, but it passes and I'm ok..
At the end of the day I'm just trying to have my family be healthier, without feeling the need to be restrictive or neurotic (thats my job for 12 weeks). They have everything they love, just cleaner healthier versions.. They have parties at school with "regular" cakes, cookies etc, and they know its ok to have that once in while.. Travis told me a friend at school said "I'll worry about dieting and eating right when I'm 40" but sadly the child obesity rate has tripled in the last 30 years... My hope is to instill good habits now, so they know how to make smart choices when on their own. At the end of the day I'm an advocate for my family, I don't judge others (well maybe a little to myself, just being honest) on what they do for themselves or their kids. Just sad with all the research and info available AND access to healthier choices we are a nation getting fatter and less active with more health issues.. Oh and if I would lobby for anything it would be tax breaks for people living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining healthy weight and other vital stats!
Travis is going to be my guest blogger this week.. He had his own wake up call and wants to share..
I'll be honest, there were a lot of days during training for competition 1 & 2 that I dropped the ball on my culinary duties for my family. They would eat out, or order pizza once or twice a week, still overall choosing healthier restaurants and food (fresh city etc) and what was eaten at home and lunches were good healthy meals.. This time around so much different.. I cook all the time, of course for me, but for them too. My meals are entirely different from what they eat, but we still eat together as much as we can. This week so far we've eaten at our dining room table mon-wed, I can honestly say that hasn't happened in a loooong time..
Listen, I'm not trying to paint some picture of the perfect family changed by healthy eating.. Because trust me its not that at all.. Jay worked from home the other day so we had lunch together, so sweet right? Yup, until I went into psycho mode and went off about portion control and choices and discipline blah blah blah... Jay looks at me and says "YOU ARE THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE ASS NAG" He was a little right.. Like we don't need to talk about this all the time. Its just hard not to for me, I love this and think everyone else should be as interested as I am.. But sort of like him talking work stuff, we each sound like Charlie Browns teacher to the other.. Live and let live right??? I have to say he's trying, and making a conscious effort to be more aware.. its not his weight which is the lowest its been since I've known him, its high BP, and other issues that are OMG fixable with proper nutrition and EXERCISE..... baby steps;)
My kids love cooking, and/or shopping with me. We made tacos the other night and not surprising how 3 of our tacos, had significantly less fat, calories and sodium then one taco bell taco.. Olivia helped make our first organic bread in the bread machine.. That thing is just amazing, great feeling to buy all natural ingredients and make your own bread! This morning I made them french toast with the cinnamon raisin bread.. Yummy:)
I don't get to have what they are right now, but it really doesn't bother me. My "diet" doesn't feel like a diet.. I love what I'm eating, and I just feel good. My calories get lower every 2 weeks, minor adjustments as I get closer to the show.. I have moments of insanity, but it passes and I'm ok..
At the end of the day I'm just trying to have my family be healthier, without feeling the need to be restrictive or neurotic (thats my job for 12 weeks). They have everything they love, just cleaner healthier versions.. They have parties at school with "regular" cakes, cookies etc, and they know its ok to have that once in while.. Travis told me a friend at school said "I'll worry about dieting and eating right when I'm 40" but sadly the child obesity rate has tripled in the last 30 years... My hope is to instill good habits now, so they know how to make smart choices when on their own. At the end of the day I'm an advocate for my family, I don't judge others (well maybe a little to myself, just being honest) on what they do for themselves or their kids. Just sad with all the research and info available AND access to healthier choices we are a nation getting fatter and less active with more health issues.. Oh and if I would lobby for anything it would be tax breaks for people living a healthy lifestyle, maintaining healthy weight and other vital stats!
Travis is going to be my guest blogger this week.. He had his own wake up call and wants to share..
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
11 weeks out
So I'm under the 12 week mark, so happy I decided to give myself an extra few weeks this time around. I feel incredible and am making it through the final weeks of the NFL season clean (yes, that means no skinny rita's) If I can make it through the loss to the Jets unscathed, Its official, I am SUPER WOMAN!
I feel great, honestly, I don't remember feeling this good during training. I do have days where I feel a little burnt, but overall my energy levels are way up, my workouts are solid and crushing my cardio sessions rather then just trying to get through them.... I attribute a lot of this to the new diet, my meals are more balanced, I'm not starving, and most importantly I am still losing 1-2 lbs each week. I prefer to eat this way, I feel better, look better, and I really do enjoy the food!
My trainer continues to come up with brilliant ways to shock my system, including what we now refer to as the "walk lunge challenge" 30 min of walking lunges around basketball court (or straight-a-way in gym) non stop... This was after training 60 min of HIGH REP LUNGE DAY... It was tough, very very tough, but it kicked my butt and I felt amazing, not to mention my entire lower body for days after! (I made it 20 minutes, but I will do the full 30.. soon!) For now I train most of my split on my own, we do legs together, and soon we will add back in the total body functional day on mondays... I have a love hate relationship with that day.. I am scared on my drive in, and pray to God I can do whatever he has planned.. Its the best feeling when its done, a major accomplishment, and sometimes a nap later on..
I started to add a few early morning cardio sessions, not my favorite, but effective. Tough banging out tough cardio on an empty stomach..
I am literally seeing changes each week, as I should being 100% on, but its just proof if you commit to this even 75-80% you will see results.... I try my best not to get preachy, just see so many struggling to reach their goals because they make it too difficult. Eat clean, watch portions, workout. Sort of makes more sense rather then, lets say, a diet that allows a day of only eating apples if you don't lose X amount of pounds in so many days.... HUH?????
I feel great, honestly, I don't remember feeling this good during training. I do have days where I feel a little burnt, but overall my energy levels are way up, my workouts are solid and crushing my cardio sessions rather then just trying to get through them.... I attribute a lot of this to the new diet, my meals are more balanced, I'm not starving, and most importantly I am still losing 1-2 lbs each week. I prefer to eat this way, I feel better, look better, and I really do enjoy the food!
My trainer continues to come up with brilliant ways to shock my system, including what we now refer to as the "walk lunge challenge" 30 min of walking lunges around basketball court (or straight-a-way in gym) non stop... This was after training 60 min of HIGH REP LUNGE DAY... It was tough, very very tough, but it kicked my butt and I felt amazing, not to mention my entire lower body for days after! (I made it 20 minutes, but I will do the full 30.. soon!) For now I train most of my split on my own, we do legs together, and soon we will add back in the total body functional day on mondays... I have a love hate relationship with that day.. I am scared on my drive in, and pray to God I can do whatever he has planned.. Its the best feeling when its done, a major accomplishment, and sometimes a nap later on..
I started to add a few early morning cardio sessions, not my favorite, but effective. Tough banging out tough cardio on an empty stomach..
I am literally seeing changes each week, as I should being 100% on, but its just proof if you commit to this even 75-80% you will see results.... I try my best not to get preachy, just see so many struggling to reach their goals because they make it too difficult. Eat clean, watch portions, workout. Sort of makes more sense rather then, lets say, a diet that allows a day of only eating apples if you don't lose X amount of pounds in so many days.... HUH?????
Thursday, January 13, 2011
93 days...
I figured I would blog again.. I'm back in hermit training mode, EAT-TRAIN-SLEEP REPEAT.
The holidays were a blast, ending my last pre-diet day in Foxboro, then out for some vino and nachos YUMMMMY!!!
I initially planned to start the official training Jan 17, about 12 weeks out from the April show, but after gaining few extra pounds during the off season (more than I planned) I decided to give myself an extra 2 weeks. I need to be leaner this time, and to be honest I wanted to start the training, I missed it.....
Starting a new diet, I am using a nutritionist this time. Its nice to not have to worry so much about that aspect, he will work with me throughout, changing things as we get closer right up until the show. I just cook it all and eat. So again, no booze, no cheats 100% clean. For me its not hard at all, it takes dedication and will power but I'm not really tempted by anything. Not that it wouldn't be good, but it will be there when I'm done....
Goals for this show:
To be leaner
build more back/Delts/Abs
to be leaner
Pose
just a little leaner...
POSE! POSE! POSE!
My favorite part about competing is lifting, training in the gym, so the posing, walking aspect challenges me. I was more comfortable and less nervous in Oct, but my posing was weak.
Time to dust off the clear heels and practice..
The holidays were a blast, ending my last pre-diet day in Foxboro, then out for some vino and nachos YUMMMMY!!!
I initially planned to start the official training Jan 17, about 12 weeks out from the April show, but after gaining few extra pounds during the off season (more than I planned) I decided to give myself an extra 2 weeks. I need to be leaner this time, and to be honest I wanted to start the training, I missed it.....
Starting a new diet, I am using a nutritionist this time. Its nice to not have to worry so much about that aspect, he will work with me throughout, changing things as we get closer right up until the show. I just cook it all and eat. So again, no booze, no cheats 100% clean. For me its not hard at all, it takes dedication and will power but I'm not really tempted by anything. Not that it wouldn't be good, but it will be there when I'm done....
Goals for this show:
To be leaner
build more back/Delts/Abs
to be leaner
Pose
just a little leaner...
POSE! POSE! POSE!
My favorite part about competing is lifting, training in the gym, so the posing, walking aspect challenges me. I was more comfortable and less nervous in Oct, but my posing was weak.
Time to dust off the clear heels and practice..
Thursday, September 30, 2010
great week, 9 days to go.
The last time I was 9 days out, I did not feel like this. I'm happy, excited and ready to get on stage, yes still nervous and working on my "stage presence", which is not easy for me. I am exhausted feeling pretty banged up, but mentally I am in a much better place this time around. I have very little cravings where as last time I kept thinking about my cheat foods and glass of wine. Of course I will have something good and maybe even a drink, but its not something I obsess over like I did in the past.
Its not exactly easy to eat 100% clean all day for 12 weeks, but in doing so it made me realize I don't "need" those things like I thought I did, and to be honest the pleasure is so momentary and I usually feel like crap after eating junk. Not so much guilty, I literally feel sick, unmotivated and then comes the crash. So why bother?? I am by no means perfect, I am not saying I wont indulge EVER, but the point of it starts to make little sense when for a moment I'm in heaven but then spend the next few hours feeling yucky.
I have always been a really healthy eater, avoiding processed foods, instead choosing clean organic foods majority of the time. BUT when I wanted to cheat I did, and it usually set up a series of cheats. My attitude was well I eat so "good" all the time, I can be "bad" too, I earned it. Then after one cheat it was like well I blew it so I'll keep going and get back to being "good" on Monday. Monday night would sometimes be blown too. Well Tues-Fri I will be "perfect". I never even realized this until a few weeks ago as I was trying to figure out how I had gained 30 pounds over the course of about 4-5 years. Of course there was always the 10 sometimes 15 pound drop thanks to the diet of the month, I would feel good but it wouldn't last and I would slowly creep back to my higher weight. Then my "ideal" weight kept getting higher, because I thought the previous goal was impossible to get back to. It was just this non stop battle with myself. I thought I could only lose weight being on a "diet" was so gung ho at the start, then felt deprived and would fall off, and on and on and on...
This is exactly the reason I started to train for the show, I needed something that wouldn't allow me to get off track. The idea of being in a bikini onstage was scary enough to keep me in check. I remember saying to my trainer one day that I was so afraid of the "after" part of the journey, would I just revert back? It was easy to stay on point having a big challenge, what if there wasn't a countdown to "show day" keeping me in line?? Well the show ended, I had some of my favorite things and realized it was just ok. I preferred eating clean, I felt better, trained harder and had more energy.
Training this time has been for different reasons, because I wanted to do the actual competition and being in much better shape I had a better starting point, and wanted to push myself even harder. My goal is still to do my personal best, and I could care less about what place I come in, but I have to say I LOVE this sport! Is it for everyone? definitely not, but if I can do this anyone can..
Today was a good day, 5 am tough cardio session, noon training session and then posing with my trainer and his boss after.. Lots of laughs, James showing me how to "work it". Former body builder dude helping me with my stage walk! Its so necessary at this point of training to be able to belly laugh!!
Its not exactly easy to eat 100% clean all day for 12 weeks, but in doing so it made me realize I don't "need" those things like I thought I did, and to be honest the pleasure is so momentary and I usually feel like crap after eating junk. Not so much guilty, I literally feel sick, unmotivated and then comes the crash. So why bother?? I am by no means perfect, I am not saying I wont indulge EVER, but the point of it starts to make little sense when for a moment I'm in heaven but then spend the next few hours feeling yucky.
I have always been a really healthy eater, avoiding processed foods, instead choosing clean organic foods majority of the time. BUT when I wanted to cheat I did, and it usually set up a series of cheats. My attitude was well I eat so "good" all the time, I can be "bad" too, I earned it. Then after one cheat it was like well I blew it so I'll keep going and get back to being "good" on Monday. Monday night would sometimes be blown too. Well Tues-Fri I will be "perfect". I never even realized this until a few weeks ago as I was trying to figure out how I had gained 30 pounds over the course of about 4-5 years. Of course there was always the 10 sometimes 15 pound drop thanks to the diet of the month, I would feel good but it wouldn't last and I would slowly creep back to my higher weight. Then my "ideal" weight kept getting higher, because I thought the previous goal was impossible to get back to. It was just this non stop battle with myself. I thought I could only lose weight being on a "diet" was so gung ho at the start, then felt deprived and would fall off, and on and on and on...
This is exactly the reason I started to train for the show, I needed something that wouldn't allow me to get off track. The idea of being in a bikini onstage was scary enough to keep me in check. I remember saying to my trainer one day that I was so afraid of the "after" part of the journey, would I just revert back? It was easy to stay on point having a big challenge, what if there wasn't a countdown to "show day" keeping me in line?? Well the show ended, I had some of my favorite things and realized it was just ok. I preferred eating clean, I felt better, trained harder and had more energy.
Training this time has been for different reasons, because I wanted to do the actual competition and being in much better shape I had a better starting point, and wanted to push myself even harder. My goal is still to do my personal best, and I could care less about what place I come in, but I have to say I LOVE this sport! Is it for everyone? definitely not, but if I can do this anyone can..
Today was a good day, 5 am tough cardio session, noon training session and then posing with my trainer and his boss after.. Lots of laughs, James showing me how to "work it". Former body builder dude helping me with my stage walk! Its so necessary at this point of training to be able to belly laugh!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
If it were really that easy!
So as I was browsing today in a supplement store a young woman approaches me and asks my opinion on "Fat Burners", I'm thinking how much time do you have?? She looked so overwhelmed searching the shelf stacked with various "miracle" pills, desparate to find the "best" one. Now I need to preface this post with some honesty, I DO use thermagenics/fat burners during my training, but more so to A.) provide some energy, B.)help surpress some cravings and C.) maybe help accelarate fat loss. If you noticed fat loss was last on the list because its really about my training and eating that attribute to a lean physique rather than popping a pill. The fitness models on these ads live and breathe a fit healthy life and yes a supplement can help, but a supplement does exactly that: it SUPPLEMENTS a healthy eating and training plan.
The first question I asked was "well are you looking for something pre-workout" and then followed up with "how is your eating" her response was "well eating right and exercise really haven't worked for me. WHAT?? I did my best in the short few minutes I had to give the most solid advice I could, even recommending more natrual approaches (green tea extract, l-carnatine etc) and taking these things PRE-WORKOUT!
We live in a quick fix society, in my opinion that does not work in regards to being fit. 20 min 3 times a week and crash dieting doesn't cut it, at least not for me or 99% of the people out there. If it were as easy as a pair of sneakers that give you a supermodel behind or a pill that will make you look like a top fitness competitor wouldn't we all be there??? I am not judging this girl, because my god I have been her, looking for that cutting edge product that would solve my yo-yo weight loss ways. But at the end of the day, I knew what I needed to do. Eat right, train hard and indulge in moderation.. Its not flashy but it works!
The first question I asked was "well are you looking for something pre-workout" and then followed up with "how is your eating" her response was "well eating right and exercise really haven't worked for me. WHAT?? I did my best in the short few minutes I had to give the most solid advice I could, even recommending more natrual approaches (green tea extract, l-carnatine etc) and taking these things PRE-WORKOUT!
We live in a quick fix society, in my opinion that does not work in regards to being fit. 20 min 3 times a week and crash dieting doesn't cut it, at least not for me or 99% of the people out there. If it were as easy as a pair of sneakers that give you a supermodel behind or a pill that will make you look like a top fitness competitor wouldn't we all be there??? I am not judging this girl, because my god I have been her, looking for that cutting edge product that would solve my yo-yo weight loss ways. But at the end of the day, I knew what I needed to do. Eat right, train hard and indulge in moderation.. Its not flashy but it works!
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