Making_A_Change’s BodyBlog

Today is a mellow day. My hair is twisted and ready to be unleashed tomorrow. I am doing my very neglected feet right now. It’s great. I am soaking them and watching TV. Aaaah. Nice. My poor feel have been neglected for a while, though. I don’t even think I could trust someone to handle these feet. I never been to a nail place that was aggressive enough. You’ve got to put your back into it! I feel great. I eat in about 2 hours, but it’s fine because I just had oatmeal. I am also fantasizing about my trip to the gym next Tuesday. I’ll start slow. I was thinking about doing a full body-circuit for the week and gradually increasing my weight. Because the discomfort and ‘major’ dieting in my case took place over the course of about 4-5 days and my post-competition plans are very, very conservative

Now, this is a new experience. I had my first carb-up meal–oatmeal and protein powder. Oh…my…goodness. I feel like I need to strap on my running shoes and just run and run and not look back! It has been less than an hour and I feel like I am on a stimulant! Geez–this is great. I am going to go clean something.

This morning was my last workout. Tomorrow, is all about resting, doing my feet, twisting my hair and double checking my suitcase! I feel like I am holding more water. We’ll see what happens over the next day or so.

Woo!

This depletion is fascinating. I think the daily and drastic changes in my carb intake is the reason for the daily (and did I mention drastic) shifts in my energy levels. Today’s energy level was, and still is, low. I did 2-3 circuits. I was using a 20 pound barbell, and 5 and 10 pound dumbbells for everything. My body is extremely flat. Flexing has become difficult and when I do, there isn’t much of a difference. At work, my legs felt like they were detached and my mind is fuzzy. I was reading aloud to my 5th graders and had to conclude early because I had difficulty focusing. It wasn’t like I was dizzy–I was sleepy. My appetite comes and goes. I think it is because the protein/veggie combo all of the time is kind of…I can’t describe it. This morning, I really wanted my oatmeal. It’s warm and comforting. Instead, I had leftover chicken and egg whites.

I’m thirsty, too. I start cutting water and taking Showtime tomorrow evening.

I think that I am far enough removed, now, from the process to talk about the waxing. It is no secret that the posing suit leaves little to the imagination, and you have to go far beyond trimming the hedges. You have to pull the weeds. I had a dry run several weeks ago and the real deal yesterday. I had to make sure that I wouldn’t be left with ingrown hairs or bumps.

I had my eyebrows and ladystache waxed. That is no problem. I’ve done that before. I got a full leg wax. I have never done that before. It hurt but was bearable. The brazilian was hurt like hell the first time and it hurt the second time, too. While I have tried to take this out of my mind, I can’t. It is a part of this journey, so I’ll share:

I went to a lady in Berkeley who is an excellent waxer. She is a Persian lady with a heavy accent and a HUGE Obama supporter. She has Obama chair covers, the books, the window display, magazines, and pins. Don’t come into her shop with your McCain talk because she will kindly ask you to leave and find another waxer. Oh yes, it’s serious. She asked me to remove my pants and underwear and lay down, then she left the room. I had let things grow out, because I’ve been told you get a better wax that way. I lay on my back, on the edge of the table. She returns and has me bend the leg farthest from her and let my leg fall to the side. Then she proceeded to wax the top and sides and rip the hair out by its follicle. She is fast and skilled and does the other side. I am a soldier and I am determined not to make a sound. Then I am told to put my knees to my chest. She then rips hair from the bottom of my lady parts, followed by smaller rips because she is a professional and is thorough. Next, I have to open my legs–the most invasive position, of all. And she proceeds to get all–and I do mean any and  aaa-llll hair that is in that region and to the south of that region. I am literally breathing like I am in labor with each pass of the wax-coated linen. I am starting to sweat, but I am not a screamer. She warns me not to kick her and I assure her that I won’t. We work together-rip, breathe, rip, breath, hold this, rip, clench, breath. Between the breathing, clenching, pulling, and ripping I passed gas. I was mortified…mortified! All I could do was let out a meek and embarrased–I’m so sorry. Like a pro, she assured me it was okay and proceeded to rub some lavendar smelling ointment on me and send me on my way–but not before she handed me a mirror to admire her work.
My second waxing went off without a hitch, though. And I am show ready.

So there it is. My pre-contest experience. It was definitely not as pleasant as the spray tanning, that’s for sure.

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Tonight, I did 40 minutes on the stairmill. I am sure having a day’s worth of meals in me didn’t hurt.

This ‘peak week’ is something else. Today, I felt ‘normal’. I made it to the end of work. I am finding that I am hungry alot sooner after eating. I don’t know if it is my metabolism or does it have something to do with eating ‘all real food’ and no supplements. Or is that the same thing. This morning’s workout went well. I did make it to the end. Tonight, I am going to do another circuit for abs and legs. We’ll see how it goes. And I have posing practice, of course. I was watching the Olympia footage and there were some elements that I wanted to include in my posing–nothing drastic. Just a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ to make me more memorable. I am about 40 minutes from my next meal which will be relatively carb free. Are there that many carbs in a red pepper? I am going to have about 5 egg whites (2 yolks) and some peppers for flavor.

My weight is down to 132. I could not believe it. I hadn’t weighed myself in almost a week, because I need batteries. You know how you need to buy batteries and you keep forgetting, so you take the batteries out of other things? Well, I took the batteries out of my scale. I haven’t manipulated my water, yet and my weight dropped 3-4 pounds. I may me competing in the high 120’s. That is my high school  weight.

I have been reading alot about contest rebound and I am determined not to let it happen to me. I want to put on about 5-6 pounds of muscle over the next 7 months. And I want to sit at around 140-143 during the ‘off season’. With the goal of not having to lose more than 10-12 pounds for a  18 week prep. While I am new at this, the extra time is good.

My other post-competition goals are:

• to keep my diet close to my contest diet for four weeks
• add just 100 calories per day to my meals
• continue doing 30 minutes of cardio after my morning workouts
• evening cardio gradually reduced

Those are my initial goals. I really don’t know how my body is going to react, but I definitely feel like I need to plan. I am not putting on 30 pounds, just to have to start over–this was too hard for that!

Oh, where did that high that I was experiencing yesterday go? As fast as it came…it is gone. I did last night’s cardio with slightly fewer carbs, half as much as a matter of fact. This morning began with my pre-morning oats (1/4 c instead of 1/3). I went to meet Billy. It was THE saddest session I have ever had with him. I THOUGHT I had sad sessions, but this was beyond bad. Step ups with, for example, with 5 pounds dumbbells felt like a ton. Stepping up onto the step was a challenge. It was an ego-busting experience. 5 minutes into the workout I felt like I hit a wall.

Billy lowered my weights and sets. The beginning stages of depletion are so obvious. By the end of my day today, I had to teach sitting down–something I never do! I turned to my co-teacher (who is also my make-up artist) and mouthed-this is going to be a long week. I have a another protein meal and then my pre-workout meal with will, again, contain half of the carbs that I normally have pre-workout. I am aiming for 30 minutes on the stairmill. I am going to go almost immediately after I eat in hopes that I will be able to last the 30 minutes. I fear that if I wait to long my body with ‘burn’ some of what need off. What a ride this is. Additionally, the vascularity in my hands and arms are more that I have ever seen. I took the batteries out of my scale to use in a remote or something. I would like to see if my weight has dropped–it feels like it has.

This weekend, I have cleaned the apartment from top to bottom. I went shopping for groceries and for alot of the things on my competition day list. I did my circuit this morning and this evening I will go in for 50 minutes on the stairmill and a long stretch. One great find was the bootcut yoga pants at Target. They were $19.99 and fit so well. They are actually long enough. I got the medium/tall. I will be wearing those on competition day. I couldn’t find a black, long sleeved fleece but I did get a dark blue one. Tanner shouldn’t show up on either one. I am just thrilled. While on the stairmill last night, I thought–wow, at this time next week I will have competed in my first NPC show!

A couple of stones have popped off of my suit. I was expecting that. So, I need to glue them back on. At least the majority of them are staying on. I just had my meal 30 minutes ago, and I feel like I could defintely eat, again. So, to take my mind off of this I am going to do a load of laundry and finish one of my school assignments that are due tomorrow. It’s probably going to be a late night. I figure I’ll be up until around midnight.

I need to cook up some talipia for tomorrow and some chicken for later in the week. I do miss the convenience of just mixing up a shake. It was so easy. But really it’s only two more meals that I have to prepare so it’s not so bad.

I am going to ride this energy thing out, because I know once Wednesday/Thursday hits, it may be an entirely different story. I am going to try and take pictures every few days now. I want to chronicle ‘peak week’ changes, especially once the Showtime is added in. I chose Showtime over the Xpel, because the showtime explicitly said that it could be taken over several days. And while I know the Xpel can, as well, I felt more comfortable with it being said on the label. Because everything else is staying relatively the same, I know I can contribute alot of changes to the Showtime and the deplete. This information will be very helpful next time around.

I am officially one week out. Workouts stop next Wednesday and I’ll be doing cardio. I get to carb up this weekend, deplete for the week, and load on Thursday evening and Friday. No supplements. That is a hard one, I wanted my Muscle Milk immediately after my workout, but came home and made some egg whites and a slice of sprout bread instead. Deplete begins Wednesday and the diuretic starts on Thursday.

I felt like I was on point with my posing, but the bloat hid any definition that I had. It looks like I will be on my period for the show, but the positive part is that  I bloat prior to it so the timing works in my favor. I know the tan and the oil will help greatly with the presentation. I am trying to relax and not stress. At this point, there is no muscle that I can build in 7 days and no body fat that will drop in that time, either. So, I’ll see what I can do is minimize the water retention and go for it!

But I still can’t wait to start training hard and heavy and using creatine! I am salivating at the thought! I am going to sculpt an entirely new butt and it’s going to be so much fun!

Well, I am off to do all of the things that I needed to do over the course of the week!

I was a little disappointed last night when I ate my pre-workout oatmeal only to find myself asleep on my face. What a waste of carbs! I really wish I could have ‘used’ that energy, but I guess I needed sleep more. I can’t let that shake me, though. I can’t let it happen, again. I am going to make sure that I am out of the apartment 30 minutes after my evening meal-no exceptions. This morning, I got up late and had to make the most of the time that I had. I decided to hit the stairmill at a higher intensity. At the end of my 30 minutes, I was drenched! Tonight, I am going to do my circuit. I really do enjoy doing the circuit. It’s fast-paced, light weights, big sets (25-30), lots of sweat, and lots of variety. I am going to follow my workout with 30 minutes of cardio.

Right now, I have another hour to wait for my next meal. I feel the beginnings of hunger coming on. And I am trying to focus my attention elsewhere. I’m writing this blog, cleaning my living room, cooking for tomorrow, getting dinner together for the little one, and whitening my teeth (I don’t know how effective these whitening strips are, but I am doing whatever I can to present well. This weekend, I will be at Claire’s to pick up some rhinestone hoops and a rhinestone bracelet. I haven’t been in a Claire’s since high school. Wow, have they really been around that long? I am putting stones of various sizes on the cups of the one-piece. I think it looks pretty good.

I am seriously wondering if my face is going to get any thinner, because I have no fullness whatsoever! Yikes. My calories are slightly lower because I am doing single scoops of Muscle Milk, I have stopped taking the flax oil (that’s 125 calories, right there), my carbs are slightly lower–just my pre- and post- workout oats that I am cutting down to 1/4 of a cup from 1/3-1/2 of a cup.

I’ve been asked how do I feel and I can say I feel ready. For over a year and a half, I have developed the habits of mind that have led me to this point. The ‘competition diet’ wasn’t much different from the eating that I’ve grown accustomed to. I think that was helpful. My trainer’s training was very complementary to my body–the man is brilliant and LOVES fitness. This sport has shown me that I have the discipline to train and diet and the confidence to compete. I’ve looked at the the competition pages of Oxygen and wondered how those ladies did it! Now, I am doing it! And I want to do it again.

May 2009-Contra Costa Figure (Sasha said that this was a great show to do.)
July 2009-San Jose Figure (I would be great to compete in the summer and not worry about being in school or teaching. I can just focus on training and diet. Plus, we go to work later, so I can train longer.)
October 2009-SF Figure and Bodybuilding Championships (This is the show that I am doing next week–but one year later. I think it would be interesting to see where my body would be at this point.)
That is around 8 weeks in between shows. I should be really conditioned for the October 2009 show.

I gave my four year old those teeny, tiny stones that I wasn’t going to use, a paper plate, a pair of tweezers, and put her swimsuit on some cardboard. The result? She has quietly spent the last 20 minutes carefully putting stones on every flower center and flower petal on that suit. She is completely engrossed and it is hilarious. Her mouth is open and she is gluing each individual stone, just like I’ve been doing. She said she can’t wait for the glue to dry. I hope the stones stay on while she has the suit on, becuase I didn’t want her using the permanent adhesive that I was using.

I am so sore. I worked my abs and some glutes and quads today with some one-legged lunges. I meet with Billy tomorrow and can’t wait to see what he cooks up. This week I bump up my water and am going to wean myself off of the protein shakes because next week it’s all food!

I am feeling pretty good. I did a partial carb up this weekend, which made me look less defined in my newest progress pictures. I’ll be depleting Monday-Wednesday, then carb-up later in the week. I created a Peak Week calendar and now I have to start going by that. I also need to start playing with my hair, twisting it, styling it and seeing what I can do with it. I also need some costume jewelry–just some earrings and a bracelet.

Later this evening…

My evening cardio was breezy. I did 50 minutes on the stairmill and I was drenched. I came home and my daughter was wearing her stone adorned swimsuit and rubber rainboots. Now that’s style.

I’ve started eating asparagus and it’s a nice change from spinach and broccoli. And at $2 a bag, it’s a steal. I had Husband pick up 5 to start. I had a frozen bag of shrimp that I got from my favorite store–The Grocery Outlet. I ate that all day. Two minutes in the microwave and it was done. For my final meal I tossed a little sesame oil and vinegar in and it was good. Either that, or I could just be so desperate for a different taste that anything tastes good. Really, my pallete isn’t very reliable nowadays. Most of my food is pretty plain. So much so, that that point of removing sodium from my diet during my ‘peak week’ is a moot point. Most of my food is whole and I eat it as is.

I did 20 minutes of cardio on the upright bike at Level 2-sad I know. My legs were like lead and I was struggling. I did about 30 minutes of posing, too. That display was just as sad. I wonder if that is what it is really like on show day. It was difficult to flex and hold my poses. I was unsteady on my heels. My transitions were horrible.

Tomorrow morning I meet with Billy. Yesterday was our anniversary. Aaaaw. Here is how we met: http://blog.bodybuilding.com/Making_A_Change/2007/09/15/i-got-somethin-for-ya/

And now look at us. One year later and preparing for our first competition!

I am off to bed. I have a long day ahead.