Making_A_Change’s BodyBlog

Yesterday’s workout with Mikiko tore me the heck up–I kid you not. My entire abdominal area is beyond sore–from top to bottom. My delts, shoulders, lats, and biceps are throbbing. My glutes are tender…and I LOVE it. I did some legs this morning, since we only did leg extensions yesterday. I practiced the split lunges that I was shows yesterday and I LOVE these. Leg days aren’t on my ‘things that I love list’ but I enjoy doing those. You get an immediate burn and I am able to take it pretty low and get a great pump out of it. Between these and deadlifts I really think I am going to have a great butt. LOL! I didn’t get my second cardio session, but I did some major cleaning for 3 hours, so I am hoping that counts for something. Tonight, no excuses, 30 (more) minutes of cardio. I followed this morning’s workout with 30 minutes of running at 6.5 mph and it felt really good. I also did hanging knee raises, from a dead hang. I can only do several sets of 10 or so, but they are alot of work and a great addition to what I already do. I am so close to having abs, I can taste it. I feel like with two solid weeks of evening cardio sessions, only 2 cheat meals (sushi and ice cream seem to do it for me), l0ts of water, all of my vitamins, I should see something. I FEEL them and can see outlines in the morning!

I went to the bathroom before I worked out and as I was pusing the lever to get some papertowels to dry my hands, I noticed my triceps peeking out. Needless to say, I just had to get some more papertowels.

Tomorrow will be chest, triceps, and calves.

I am thoroughly enjoying posing practice. I love looking in the mirror and seeing how slight adjustments here, flexing there, squeezing this or that change your silouette. I have been practicing walking, in general, developing my ‘model pose’, and working on those quarter turns. I am going to have to take my shoes to the gym. It is so much better to have that long walk way and mirrors. I figure it woud also be a great way to just get over being shy and self-conscious. Once I start ordering suits, I’ll be practicing in those, as well. And of course I will keep the lessons I learned yesterday at the front of my mind: judges don’t look at your strengths, they look for weaknesses. I’ll be keeping my calves and abs in mind tomorrow.

While I am excited about the decision to compete and there are plenty of resources on this site, there is something about being able to talk to someone who has done this before–face to face. This morning I crossed the Bay Bridge and trained with Mikiko! I almost felt like I was going on a blind date, or something. I was actually nervous! Where are my grey shorts? My legs are ashy where’s the lotion? I left a little later than I wanted to and I didn’t comb my hair! But I wanted to be on time for our 6 a.m. meeting!

She is absolutely awesome!! She is a serious competitor and took me through a pre-contest, full-body circuit that had me shaking like an old man when I tried to drink some water. We worked everything. And she showed me some new moves that burned like the depths of hell–like the crunch on the ball that had my entire abdominal area on fire!  This move is supposed to develop that ’v'–I want that!!  I was able to see just some of the things that competitors do to achieve those amazing physiques.

Then, I got to put on the clear heels and get an introduction to posing and walking. It is harder than it looks and you better put in some serious practice if you want to look natural and properly present all of your hard work. I can now see how you can place lower despite hard training. Your presentation is SO important. Mikiko has this walk down–it’s a strut, it’s feminine, you swivel your hips, and at the same time you are highlighting all of your assets. It’s no joke!

Mentally, it was a huge leap for me. I don’t go about my regular life looking sexy or walking sexy.  It is definitely a shift, I can’t be embarrased. I am normally shy and like to stand in the background–but there is no hiding. You and your body and being offered for critique against others and you have to work it like you are the ony one on that stage. I was embarrased to make eye contact, but soon realized that if this is what I want to do I have to jump over this hurdle as well.

So, I have to find my signature walk and exit. I have to look comfortable and confident. Oh, and practice coming from the right and the left of the stage. I will be putting in major practice because my quarter turns were so wobbly and I have to remember to pay attention to my entire body when doing it! Chin up, chest up, tighten my middle! I felt so comfortable and even whipped off my shirt to practice walking!

She gave me alot of insights into the sport that were invaluable like: organizations, what is required, what the judges look for, the changes in the sport and what they are expecting (flexed versus unflexed, ‘being soft’, few striations, etc.), where to look, always focus on stage, etc. I think the change in what ‘wins’ is dissapointing. I, and Mikiko agreed, really like seeing definition and seeing the athletes accentuate their muscles. To me it is indicative of really hard work because there are very few people running around looking cut up like that. Well, I like a more defined look and everything is cyclical, so I have a vision for myself and my body and that is what I am going to go for. I also realized that I have alot to learn–I am like a toddler in this ‘world’ of figure.

Mikiko and I were at the gym for over two hours! She has such a generous spirit and a great sense of humor;  and I am really thankful to have met her. We are going to meet again next month and I am looking forward to it! I’ll be integrating what she has showed me into my routine and I know that in a month’s time I will have something new to show. 

Thank you, Mikiko!!!

Today, Billy had me work primarily on back and biceps and I think he threw in the hamstrings and calves for fun. My calves are small compared to my quads. I was sweating like a pig and it was great 5 sets, 2 curcuits, 10 reps. He had me doing deadlifts on a wooden platform. That was so much harder than standing on the floor. I felt really strong and was really able to push through my reps. I have been watching Valerie Waugaman’s video series, where she is preparing for the Arnold, training, and talking about the things that motivate her. While she trains she talks to herself. Initially, I though this was a bit much. But she drew strength from being the ‘green goddess’ and leading a ‘fitness revolution’. Or she would chant ‘champion’ when she needed to push. I believe, completely, in the power of the mind. Visualization really is the key to realization, but it takes time to do. But I know when I do do it, and focus on what I want–I achieve it. So, I did some self-talking. I kept telling myself that I am a competitor. When my muscles began to burn I was able to put that aside and attribute the sensation to ‘being a competitor’. I don’t know if it will always work, but it worked today.

After 60 sweaty minutes, I told Billy that I could now do full push-ups. He said go ahead and do them. So, I got out 10. He said, "OK! Next time we’ll see what you can do when you’re fresh. I think I can do at least 30 if I am warmed up and it’s the first thing that I do.

Tonight, I am going back for 30 minutes of HIIT on the recumbant bike or a 3 mile run.

I have been reading all that I can about competing, going back and forth to various blogs, and I realize that while I am doing more than what I have done previously. I have got to get out of the ’slow and steady’ mentality of someone to works outs to that of a competitor-by any means necessary.

It’s not enough. I have to do more. I haven’t been doing my second cardio session, instead opting for evening workouts. I am finding myself at a point where I am going to have to push even harder. I want to celebrate small accomplishments, like doing full push-ups, but I have to consider the big picture. I just changed my profile picture to show my 17 week countdown. That isn’t alot of time. There is something about counting weeks. 4 months seems like a long time, but 17 weeks is going to fly by! Tomorrow, I meet with Billy and I am committing to a second cardio session that evening. I am going to do cardio 3-4 times per week–Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. I am going to drink a gallon of water a day and eat protein-laden meals. I will have one cheat meal per week. I will be prepared. I want to follow this thing through and at this rate I will look OK. I want to look stunning! I want to astound myself!

It starts tomorrow.

I think I have been too hesistant to say it, because I have yet to achieve it. But I have to claim it–I am a competitor.

I am a competitor!

I am a competitor!

I am a competitor!

I am a competitor!

I got my shoes today. I couldn’t wait to get home a put them on. They were surprisingly comfortable–more so than the shoes that I had on. AND boy-howdy do they make everything below the bellybutton look good. You butt perks up. Your hamstrings and calves pop out. And you have no choice but to walk like you have  bunch of confidence. The husband says,

"Those are nice hooker shoes".

I said, "Yes, they are. Aren’t they?"

"When are you going to wear them?"

"When I practice posing  and for the competition in October."

"Oh. I thought you were going to wear them out."

"Never that."

"Hmmm."

Last night, I worked legs. I felt like the workout was okay. I could have pushed a little bit harder, I think. I have got to work past the discomfort and start to revel in it. My tolerance for ‘pain’ is so much higher when I work my upper body. I don’t think I ate enough either–but it was clean and I had more protein than the previous day. I made sure of that.

 This morning, was labored. I feel like I was just getting warmed up by the time I had to leave. I worked back and biceps. My left wrist is bothering me again. Such a small part effects my performance in a big way! But I made an effort to go heavy, my reps were about around 8-10. I slathered my shoulders with Aspercreme prior to working out. The cream and my sweat gave me a lovely, sexy, sort of glistening look. LOL! I won’t be going back for evening cardio, I have a dinner to go to. We are going to a Korean BBQ place where you choose your own meats and veggies and it gets cooked in front of you–YUM!

Thursday I am thinking that I will hit hamstrings and glutes in a BIG way, if the DOMS don’t set in. And that evening I’ll go for shoulders, abs, and calves. I threw in 15 full push-ups at the end of my workout. I was amazed at how ‘easy’ they were! I AM getting stronger, even if I don’t feel like I am on some days. I have to say, this competition keeps me going. When I don’t want to workout I say that I have to see this thing to the end. Besides, too many people know and I don’t want to be a quitter.

My four-year old is pumped about my competition and has asked for the following: glitter, glue, glitter glue, gems, big paper, and pictures of ‘muscley ladies’. She wants to make a signs and invitations for our family and friends. That was really touching. She also made up a sort of rally cry–"Come to my mommy’s bodybuilding con-ceerrrt!" She is so supportive. She has no idea how much she pushes me. I want to do this for me and I also want her to see me work hard for something and achieve it.

I wrote a blog a couple of days ago, and I have no idea what happened to it. But, tonight I worked on chest and a little bit of shoulders. My right shoulder was buggin’, again. It didn’t get warmed-up until close to the end of my workout. I also discovered that I can do full push-ups. I did 3 sets of 10! I had no idea I could do it. Billy told me to start doing 3-5 per night and work my way up. Since I was doing chest, I started today and realized that I could do them with straight legs and back, with my nose almost to the floor.

While working out Billy and I were taking about my ‘new shoulders and traps. All of my flexing has him cracking up! But he said that my enthusiasm and seeing me work when we aren’t together makes meeting me at 5 a.m. easy. That made me feel good. My shirts are getting a bit snug in the shoulders and arms, but it’s all good. I like the shape that my body is taking. I have put on about 2 pounds now, which I feel is pretty good with the increased workload and increase in calories. I am really trying to find a balance because I don’t want to have a lot to lose later. Besides, I understand that I may be a little on the ’small’ side for my first competition and will continue to grow for future ones. Even though I have yet to do one, I know that my physique will improve with time and I really want to see that. Tomorrow, I am going to do shoulders, abs, and calves. I would loike to do legs in the evening. The leg workouts seem to go so much better when I have eaten all day. As far as diet goes today, it wasn’t that great. It was clean, but it was primarily carbs. I just didn’t schedule my meals like I should have. I am cooking 4 chicken breasts now, so that won’t happen tomorrow and Thursday. I mixed 1/2 a scoop of Scivation’s NO product and my usual 2 scoops of Xtend in my water and drank that during my workout. I finished my workout, I felt okay. But that also could have been because my calories for the day were low. I am going to try a fully scoop in my 32 oz. bottle and getting all of my meals and seeing if that makes a difference. Any little bit helps on leg day.

Tomorrow we are going for two workouts–legs in the morning and cardio and abs in the evening.

I bought them. I have been eyeing them on e-bay for a while and I was thinking I should wait. But now that I am going to have them in my hands…it’s kind of exciting! And it should be interesting to see what the husband says. I am talking about the 5" ‘performer’s heels’. For under, $30 (including shipping), this is going to be my practice pair.

Yesterday, I worked out in the evening. I focused on back and biceps. I guess the mixture of Lil’ Wayne, a preworkout drink with creatine, and my usual ‘during the workout drink’ worked their magic. Initially, I felt like it was going to be one of those workouts where I woudn’t be able to go as heavy as I would like. But I did really well. And I also slapped on my wrist hooks and pulled down 120# on the lat pull down machine. I could only get about 5 reps out, but it felt good to go heavy. I did 8 circuits of: lat pull downs, reverse lat pull downs, v-sits, bicep curls, and seated rows. I also did some full pull ups–3! with my plams facing inward. I did calf raises and ended it all with 20 minutes on the stairmill. I could have kept going, but I had to do home.

This morning, I did my triceps and abs! I did 8 sets of the following circuit: standing bb tricep press, cable press down, v-sits, dips, v-sits. Then I did a combination on the standing cable machine: side lunge, tricep press back, side lunge to the other side, bicep curl. Then I did some more abs and calf raises. I worked out for almost 2 hours. Tomorrow, I think I will do chest and shoulder. And tonight, I will slather on the Aspercreme. I’ve been waking up pretty stiff. I posted my progress pictures and it looks like my legs are a big more defined. I am just going to keep going as heavy as I can and doing my circuits.

This morning I just focused on abs. I had to really push myself out of bed, I did not want to get up. But once I hit the doors of the gym–I was okay. I went to the ‘old gym’ so that I could get started on my workout 10 minutes earlier. It as quiet and I did everything that I set out to do. I hope today’s workout has me nice and sore tomorrow! I did weighted cable crunches, v-sits, pull-over crunches, one-armed cable crunches, and some other stuff. I want to work my back tomorrow–do some pull ups and lat pull downs. One of my new favorites is the reverse lat pull down. I just love that I can feel my back muscles working immediately. I’ll do some biceps. My shoulder is feeling really good, so I am going to try  and go heavy next week. Just moderate weights, in the meantime.