annemarie_DJ’s BodyBlog

I’m heading down to New Orleans tomorrow. The timing is not ideal considering I want to compete on May 23!  Hmmm Let’s talk about dedication and willpower.  Let’s not think of all the delish food, crawfish, oysters, Po’boys, muffeletas and beignets, etc etc…  I’m going for the music and the soda water! Yummmm  Will be doing lots and lots of walking. 

I really worked hard on my legs this morning. Squatting more than my own weight. I’m proud of that.  But I would need to keep that up all next week.  After NOLA, I’m going to Houston.  I know there’ll be a good gym in Houston.  But for sure the routine will be all out of whack.  I fear that I may get off track for the competition.  It’s a figure competition and I’m trying to hold on to my mass. 

I will decide upon my return whether I am truly ready to compete or whether I should delay. But this comp is in my home town and a few friends and family have expressed an interest in checking it out.  Pressure’s on ! 

But I LOVE pressure!!  Let’s rock. Ima gonna be ok !!

I figured I was on a roll so I should just keep going. After placing first in my category in April, I’m working on another competition at the end of May.  There’s also a purely selfish reason for this timing. As if the Easter competition timing wasn’t perfect enough - I ate chocolate bunnies guilt free on Easter sunday, the day after competition!   Another springtime competition means that I’ve got my beach body all dialed in for the summer.  It means that after a few sacrifices, I’ll be able to chillax during the summer months.  Uhmm, I’ll be chillaxing "responsibly", of course! 

However, that being said… I’m already looking at competition dates in July! Funny how this sport is addictive.  Anyhow, let’s just take it one step and one competition at a time.  I had some serious doubts last week and got pretty discouraged.  That lasted about 48 hours and then I was ok again. More or less. It’s not easy staying on track. But the rewards are great.  Just gotta focus.

Speaking of focus, I’ll be on travel status all next week. I’m hoping the hotel gyms will be adequate. As for food, well, I’m getting good at knowing what to order in restaurants.  The only trouble area is the drinks. I’ve recently decided that I can replace my 2 daily servings of blueberries with red wine. Hahaha - that certainly has not been proven scientifically. But I’m French, so I’m pretty sure this is a fully plausible theory! heehee  However, with only 4 weeks to go, this is no time to stray too far from diet.  

I’ll work it out.  Just trying to stay on course…. one day at a time! 

Hey, what the heck, I’ve got this far, I might as well keep going.  I’ve had a whole week’s rest and not watching my diet (which is normally not so bad anyway - except for the wine..!). Now it’s time to get back on track and try another competition this season.  This one is 5 weeks away and in my home town.  That’s why I’m doing it because a few friends and family have expressed interest in coming to a show.  This one will be challenging as it is a Figure competition.  I am not a big girl, but I do feel that I have alot more mass and definition than last November at my first figure competition.  I placed 10th out 15 that time.  My goal is to place higher. 

I was in the gym this morning and I found it difficult.  Oooh my legs were burning after the walking lunges (2×40 with 20 lbs dumbbells in each hand).  I realized after that I haven’t worked the legs in 10 days.  Ouch! 

I’m glad to be back on track again.  I must admit, my tummy has been upset with me all week.  It really likes the idea of 5 small meals, no sugars and low carbs.  In fact, that’s why I got into this in the first place. 

I’ll be keeping a detailed work-out blog on the Forum here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=114460101

I hope you’ll check in to see how things are progressing.

Taking home the hardware… well, the certificate anyway!  Very pleased that I managed to place first in my category on the weekend. I worked hard and I felt good. I was pretty calm going into the competition, which made me abit nervous, but it turned out good. 

I’m happy with the good results considering I dragged hubby and teenager out there to cheer me on (for a long day).  Mind you, they spent the whole day watching beautiful bodies on stage. How bad can that be!   I want to thank Hubby for giving me an awesome tan and helping with the fingernail glue when I was all thumbs!  The timing for this competition was perfect because I managed to enjoy Easter chocolate and turkey feast immediately afterwards!  We’ve decided Easter weekend competitions would become a new annual tradition! Thank you to Mon & Mike for being such amazing and generous hosts!! 

But really, I have to say that at my age (45), I feel quite proud of what I’ve accomplished with just a little self control and A LOT of time management!!  I hope that I can keep it up and continue to live healthy, be happy and enjoy all the good things life has to offer.  i shall never take my good health for granted.  I realize that I’m a very lucky individual. 

Next competition? Yes!  Uhmm yes.  May?  June? October… we’ll see !

That’s if I manage to sleep tomorrow. With all the excitement and nerves, it might be difficult to get a good night’s sleep the night before the competition.  All my work is done now. I’m as ready as I’m gonna be.  I just need to get my stuff packed and ready to travel to Toronto tomorrow.  The Fitness Star competition takes place on Saturday and it will be second competition ever and my first competition of 2009.  Oooohh that sounds like I might want to do more this year!  But, for now let’s just focus on Saturday.

Today I did not do any cardio and no weights. I practiced my routine and primped a little bit.  I am trying to take some time to relax.  It’s not easy!  I really just want to have fun this weekend and I can’t imagine better timing.  After Saturday’s competition, I’ll be clear to have a great Sunday meal without guilt !  As luck would have it mustangmik and his wonderful wife have invited us on our way back from T.O. for some turkey! Well, I admit, I may have invited myself! haha

I want to say that I feel that I have accomplished so much in the past months and in the past year.  Whatever happens on Saturday is secondary. I feel very fortunate to have my good health and a loving family and friends. 

What a difference a year makes!

Last week, I was cleaning out the files and photos from my laptop and came across a photo I had taken last April.  It was right after I attended the Serious About Fitness workshop. 

I had no plans or illusions/delusions to ever compete until after that workshop.  But then I started working out more seriously and researching nutrition and weight training. One thing led to another..and I competed in November at the OPA Figure Eastern Championship. 

Check the photo for yourself - what a difference a year makes!  I’m stunned.  I kept thinking that my back would never grow!  But apparently, it did !  I got lots of information from everyone here on this website. 

So, like I said, I feel I’ve accomplished alot already.  I know my family and friends are proud and I’m grateful for their support.

Fingers are crossed for the weekend.

This is it. 6 days to go. All the hard work, the sacrifices, the chicken and broccoli will be put to the final test next Saturday in Toronto at my first competition of the season: Fitness STAR.  You can detect a note of optimism in that sentence: "first comp of the season"… meaning I expect to do more than just one!   

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now, I just want to focus on Saturday. The final week before the show is always abit complex. You really need to watch your food and work-outs.  For instance, Wednesday will be my last chance to work on the legs. After that, leave the legs alone cause you don’t want them overworked or swollen too veiny… or something…(not exactly sure but most sources agree). 

I ate no carbs all last week (except spinach, asparagus, broccoli and grapefruit).  Yesterday, I had oatmeal for breakfast. It was like heaven, I tell ya!  So I will be cycling carb meals this week as well and watching water and salt intake.  Of course, Saturday is not a bodybuilding competition - it’s athletic model. So I don’t want to be too shredded or lean or dry.  There’s a fine balance to keep.  And then you never really know what exactly will appeal to the judges.

So, again, I’m focusing on enjoying myself.  Enjoying the workouts, always!  And then enjoying the excitement of the competition and meeting lots of great people.  Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about.  In fact, there’s only one thing I don’t like about all of this - the fake tanning process. It’s messy and tedious!  But it is a necessary evil.  I can live with it.

Looking forward to a challenging week!

I’m gonna say it again… I’m doing this one for the big chocolate bunny!