Alisonvb’s BodyBlog

"This is my last show…."
"Nooo….I’m just saying that because I’m tired."
"No really….this really is it, i’m hanging up the heels."

I’ve been through 4 competitions (8 weeks of strict dieting/training for everyone of them). Why is this one so difficult? I think I’m so used to seeing drastic results because I’ve needed to lose the weight. This time around is totally different. I’m in good shape, so its strange to not see drastic changes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining by any means.

This is my last week before I start the water depletion phase. Traditionally I’ve started on the sunday prior to the show, I think i’ll need to start as early as friday. I anticipate a lot of water loss (looking forward to it actually because it means its "go" time!) but NOT looking forward to substituting my delicious and comforting oatmeal for a grapefruit, but I have all week to prepare I guess.

I know I shouldn’t be at all concerned about what the scale says. But I can’t help it! I get in the habit of weighing myself everyday (which is soo wrong) because it fluctuates. It should be taken weekly for a better estimate. I guess its just always that "fatter" person inside of me that is so focused on losing weight rather than sculpting the best physique and shedding pure bodyfat. I’d like to lose atleast 5lbs so, its a horrible horrible contraption and I just wanna drop kick it sometimes. I’m really going to try my best NOT to weigh myself everyday and stick to weekly weigh ins. I’d like to lose atleast 2lbs a week which would put me exactly were i’d like to be for competition. But who the hell knows..

I got my bodyfat taken yesterday: 124.8lbs and 14.6%bodyfat

Not bad by any stretch of the imagination, in fact its very very good. However, in order for me to step on stage and feel competitive I need to be under 10% bodyfat.

I have 4 full weeks of training left before I step on stage. It all comes down to a science (calories in vs. calories out). I’m keeping my cardio up doing 2 hours a day (as many days as my schedule permits). I train 5x a week focusing on specific bodyparts and always working on posing.

This was my first weekend that I haven’t cheated or had a drop of alcohol in 3 months! wow, I feel great today lol. Monday’s are usually so horrible because of the extreme bloat and dehydration of the weekend. Feels good to be healthy.

Don’t get me wrong. The first thing I usually reach for after a show isn’t water. It usually involves alcohol or some type of fatty food lol. I guess this makes me human.

At this point, I’m still contemplating on doing back to back shows. This would mean I’d have to start drinking water immediately after the first show and go right in to the water depletion phase for the next weekend. Not sure how my body will adapt, but my goal was to do 3 shows this year. And I’d rather bang them out back to back them wait a few weeks in between. We’ll see…

Ok, so originally I was giving myself 6 weeks to prepare for a natural competition. When, to my surprise, it was moved earlier. I was given 5 weeks to prepare for this show! In the past, I’ve always had 8 weeks because of the shape I let myself get to. This time, I’m not in a bad spot, but i’m still unsure of how my body will adjust in the short amount of time.

I’m officially 4 weeks out from stage time and feelin’ pretty good. I’ve been doing 2 hours of cardio a day (as often as my schedule permits at www.sweat954.com) and training 5x a week.

My weight is in check: 125lbs, bodyfat will be determined in 2 days when I get pinched. This will be the best indicator for me. Regardless, I never go in to these shows expecting to win or looking to win. I just want to do better than I did in the previous shows.

Even though this has only been the first week of real training, I’m exhausted! wow, when does it get easier? I always say its the first 2 weeks that the roughest, then its just routine.

I’d like to see myself under 10% bodyfat by showtime and under 120lbs. Don’t wanna look to scrawny, but I know from the past what works best for my body.

I’m heading in to the first weekend in several months of no drinking or cheat meals. I’m actually looking more forward to sleeping! Juggling MBA classes, working over 60 hours a week and training in between takes it toll.

I’ve created this blog to keep me focused. Not sure if anyone is following it, but it helps to rant.

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