../../jeanettes/2011/07/11/best_meal_plan_ever/

Jul 11, 2011 8:56PM Jeanette Samuelson

I wanted to share my experience with my new diet coach Ruben
Sandoval and Fit to Be In Your Kitchen. In getting ready for a new
season on figure competitions, I know that the hardest thing for me is
my diet and that I needed help! I met Ruben here on BB and after a
couple months of chatting and him telling me what he could do for me, I
decided to give it a try. I can honestly say that working with Ruben
was one of the best decisions of my fitness career that I've made.
Ruben has given me personal attention each week helping me to prepare my
body for the stage and hopefully to earn my pro card in November. The
foods that have been on my meal plans are not something that I would
expect to have for competition prep, yet I have been amazed at the
changes in my body. All the hard work and sweat in the gym won't matter
if your diet isn't right. I have found the key and that is Ruben and
Fit to Be In Your Kitchen! No boring diet, no cinchers....I have more
curve than I've had in years! And when my workout schedule changed due
to gym hour changes, Ruben had a new meal plan for me that day. He has
been an awesome support and encouragement in my competition prep! My
first show of the year was my biggest show yet, Southern State
Championships in Ft Lauderdale Florida. I took 1st place in Open Class C
which qualified me for Nationals. We are now making plans to do the
NPC Nationals in Miami in November. I want my pro card this year and
with lots of hard work in the gym and Rubens help with diet and guidance
I believe that I can do it!

Thank you Ruben for being such an awesome support and teacher! I am
looking forward to what the next couple of months preparations holds and
being part of the Fit to Be In Your Kitchen Team in Miami in November!!
I'm ready to do this!!

http://www.fit2beinyourkitchen.com/

On
may 21st 2011 I competed in my first national level show.  I worked
very hard from January through to May.  I trained, did tons of cardio,
and did the traditional contest prep diet.  I know that a clean
nutrition plan is the only way to go when competing and I had sought
advise from those around me that had previous competition experience. 
What I learned is that I am very different from those that I sought
advise from and the regular old contest prep diet wasn't working for me.

I
went into Jr. USA's in good condition, but certainly not winning
condition.  A week or so prior to Jr's I updated my bodyspace profile
and was approached by Ruben Sandoval at Fit To Be In Your Kitchen; he
had worked with a friend the previous year and recognized me from one of
her pictures.  He was very kind and complimented me on my improvement
and wished me luck in my first trip to the national level stage.  I went
to his face book page and website and did some research.  I saw
testimonials from competitors and non-competitors on how great the
FTBIYK program really is.  After placing last in my height class I
decided that I needed to do something different or I would never reach
my goal of winning a competition, let alone ever having a chance to go
for a pro card.   

I decided before Jr's was over that I was going
to work with Ruben, what I didn't realize was that it was going to have
such a positive impact on my life.  I sent Ruben pictures from about 3
weeks prior to Jr's and  from Jr's; he took those pictures and a great
deal of personal information from me about my supplements, meal plans,
eating schedule, and workout splits.  Three days later I had my menus
for the first week.  I did my grocery shopping, took a day to do the
cooking (preparation is key to success), and by friday I was ready to
start.  From that point I officially had 15 days till the Battle at the
River in Chattanooga.  I wasn't sure how much success I would have in
just 15 days and I should not have doubted the plan...  I found the preparation easy and I was actually eating a lot!!  I was eating 7 times
a day and taking in more calories than I had on my previous plans, all
the while I was seeing loss in my hips, thighs, and waist.  People were
seeing a difference and I didn't tell anyone I had made a change.  I
wanted to give it those first few weeks to see how I would do.  I didn't
place at Battle at the River, however I did receive positive comments
from the judges.  From those comments I decided to do another show 8
weeks later.  Received my new menus and started again on a Friday.

Shortly
after deciding to work with Ruben I received a friend request from
Kereida Beadle-Thomas.  Come to find out she lives about 30 minutes
north of where I do and is also on Team FTBIYK.  She has been so very
supportive of me and I have helped her prepare for her first
competition.  I am incredibly grateful that she is close by and that we
can support each other through the highs and not so highs of contest
prep. 

Since June 11th I have lost my dad and I moved.  During all
of this I stayed on plan and received the most amazing support from
Ruben and the FTBIYK team.  I am now 22 days out from the Knox Classic
in Knoxville TN and I feel fantastic! 

Team FTBIYK is growing and I proud to say I am a member...