Lift it, bench it, blog it!

We found out a week ago that we’re having a baby!  It took me 4 LONG months (after competition) to put on the much needed (but undesired) body fat to concieve our first child.  I have to say I’m not as gross as I thought I would be.  At around 20% I still have the athletic look.  AND I’ve lost some weight (probably muscle) … oh well.  No major symptoms yet so I’m still working out and going about my business as usual.  I’m trying to stay hydrated/cool and lifting to maintain. My goal is to compete in the Fall of 2010 or Spring 2011. Just depends on how everything turns out.

New workout schedule: MWF weights & 30 min cardio; TTH low intense 45 min cardio

I started my new workout program yesterday and I’m pretty excited about it.  It was time for a change.

I’ve been worried about my weight lately.  After competition I gained about 10 lbs!  That’s a lot for me.  I weigh more now than I’ve ever weighed.  I’m trying to not be scale-bound and weigh only once a week.  This seems to help my psyche.  However, I do keep asking my husband to check my body fat and take my measurements   I heard there are books (and ebooks) out there that explains life after competition.  It’s amazing there isn’t more information available.

My husband and I are trying to conceive our first child.  This is the main reason I decided to put Figure on hold and add some much needed (but not desired) body fat.  It’s SO hard!  I told my friends that I should have started competing AFTER I had kids.  It’s harder to transform back to what I was before I started training.  Just getting my hormones back to normal is taking a bit of work.  If anyone has any advice, I’m all ears.

I came down with another sinus infection this week.  This time I had bronchitis too.  *sarcastic* Yippy!

I managed to pull myself out of bed yesterday and today to come to work.  I’m still not even close to 100%.  As I sit here watching people workout, I can’t help but think "I’m glad it’s them and not me."  Where has my motivation gone?  I’m hoping its because I’m sick and once I get 100% better my thoughts will change.

Since competition is over I need a new goal.  Maybe I can use this time off to figure out what I want my physique to look like.  Muscles? Lean and tone?  I can’t decide.  I really want people to say "Damn, she’s freakin’ ripped," but I don’t want the scale to keep moving towards 130lb.  I’m already having a hard time believing I’m not a size 2 anymore … and I think 4 came and went too.  How depressing.  I wonder if it’s possible for a designer to make clothes that fit a figure girl?

I meant to do this after competition, but just couldn’t find the time.

On May 9^th I competed in the INBF Figure Competition in Austin, TX.  My contest prep was 6 short weeks.  I hadn’t planned on doing this comp, but my progress was really advancing so I decided ‘why not.’  I usually start 12 weeks out. 

My pre-prep weight was 126lbs with 17% BF; my contest weight was 119lbs with approx. 13% BF.

Pro:  I attained my goals – dropped below 15% BF, and showed clear definition in my abs and quads.  I’m also happy to say that I could keep up with the competition this year … unfortunately, that brings me to my con …

Con: I placed 3^rd.  It was well deserved and I accepted it gracefully.

On May 16^th I competed in the Fitness Lone Star in Houston, TX.  It was tough to have two back-to-back peak weeks and expect to come in 100% for both.  Early on I had to make a decision on which one I wanted to focus on.  I chose INBF, but I actually looked a lot better in the Fitness Lone Star.  Strange how that happens …

I didn’t know what to expect going into the Fitness Lone Star.  I have to admit, even though the show was a little un-organized it was my favorite.  They gave us a lot of stage-time, the audience was really responsive, and they even asked us questions … Similar to a pageant.  It put a personality behind the brawn J  I think that was the most unnerving part … I was more concerned about what question they would ask me and how I would answer (I’m not a very good public speaker) instead of worrying about tripping on my heels or falling on my turns.  Even the competitors weren’t cut throat for 1^st.  I think I was the most competitive girl there and I’m not even that competitive J

My contest weight was 121lbs and approx. 14% BF.  Yeah, I struggled with cardio this last week!

Pro:  I placed 1^st (yay!), I met Julie Green (the figure coach), I got to spend a weekend away from the gym with Jason

Con:  The show was a little un-organized, it was a LONG day (12 hours), after receiving my trophy some other girls gave me a hard time, it was my last show for awhile

Oh Figure, how do I quit you!?  NEVER!  Ha!  Even though we’ve decided to start a family (yes, FAMILY!), I haven’t hung up my suit yet.  The goal is to get back into the suit after.  Ha!!!  No comment on the above statement … you’ll know when we know.

Tomorrow is the International Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation Southwestern Natural Championship.  Did I mention it was ‘natural’? … ha!  Okay, kidding aside … I’m getting serious now. 
 

Today is the first day in a long time that I’m not working out.  Yes, that’s right!  I’m under strict orders not to lift a weight or get on the cardio equipment (no matter how great the urge is).  So far, so good.  I even managed to stroll through boot camp this morning without elevating my heart rate … or breaking one of these ridiculous nails.
 

This afternoon I have to take my polygraph test (little nervous), get ‘bronzed’, and sit through the meeting while scoping out the competition J
 

I also still have some packing to do.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute.  I think it keeps me sane by not putting too much thought into it.  I guess that’s why I put 5 personal training sessions back-to-back yesterday (my day off!), and filled my schedule this morning.  Now I’m too tired to worry about it.
 It’s Showtime!
 

My final stats:
3/27/09:  126lbs; 17% BF
5/8/09:  120.4lbs; 13.5% BF

Tomorrow is the International Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation Southwestern Natural Championship.  Did I mention it was ‘natural’? … ha!  Okay, kidding aside … I’m getting serious now. 
 

Today is the first day in a long time that I’m not working out.  Yes, that’s right!  I’m under strict orders not to lift a weight or get on the cardio equipment (no matter how great the urge is).  So far, so good.  I even managed to stroll through boot camp this morning without elevating my heart rate … or breaking one of these ridiculous nails.
 

This afternoon I have to take my polygraph test (little nervous), get ‘bronzed’, and sit through the meeting while scoping out the competition J
 

I also still have some packing to do.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute.  I think it keeps me sane by not putting too much thought into it.  I guess that’s why I put 5 personal training sessions back-to-back yesterday (my day off!), and filled my schedule this morning.  Now I’m too tired to worry about it.
 

It’s Showtime!
 

My final stats:
3/27/09:  126lbs; 17% BF
5/8/09:  120.4lbs; 13.5% BF

I began my contest prep 7 weeks ago thinking I was training for the Lone Star Classic in Plano.  Plans quickly changed as summer plans and such started interfering with my prep.  So I decided (after much debate) to venture out of the world of NPC and try my luck with INBF and FAP this year.  These two (back-to-back) shows are quickly approaching and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting … mainly to psych myself up!

I just wrapped up my first week on the new diet and workout.  I lost 1 lb … so if my body keeps up and doesn’t plateau I should be around 118 - 119 lb for competition.  I can already tell a difference.

Today is my low calorie day … wish me luck!

I met with Amber and Daniel last Thursday regarding my competition prep (diet/workout).  My shows are right around the corner and I was having trouble dropping BF.  They were SO helpful and wonderful.  Not to mention our little meeting jump started my motivation to get out of my comfort zone.

I was really jazzed to get started on the new plan … even though they told me to start Monday.  I packed the food I needed and headed to the gym Saturday.  All is well until after lunch … then it hits me …. this is going to be a hard road!  After I close down the gym I stop by the grocery store to pick up the menu items for the week (chicken, veggies, EGGS, water, avacados, sweet potatoes, and a few pieces of fruit.  Then I headed home to start cooking, measureing and packing by day.  4 HOURS LATER!!! …. I pass out on the couch.  What a day!  Just the food preparation was a workout.  However, Sunday and today were nice to reach into the fridge and pull out the bag of food for the day. 

Sunday I had dinner with my in-laws.  It was my MIL’s b-day so the cake was tempting, but I managed to resist.  Sunday’s are my low cal days so I’m pretty proud of myself … resisting the food and having a good attitude about it

I need to keep telling myself it’s worth it for the next 6 to 10 weeks

It’s been about a month since I’ve workout.  My husband and I opened a gym this past week and we did all the construction ourselves.  We started January 1st and 26 days later we were open.  It was a WILD adventure full of blood, sweat and tears.  I’m sure small business owners can relate.

It’s ironic we have a gym FULL of equipment and haven’t been able to use any of it.  VERY fustrating!  I finally had a chance today to workout with my SMAC friends.  It was awesome! I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but ended up surprising myself.  My strength is still there.  Yesterday I took my measurements and again was surprised to see I lost only 3lbs and remained 18% BF.

Next week we are hoping to get into a routine.  We’ve been working 6am to almost midnight every day for the past month and our bodies are about to give out.  I can’t take much more of it, but now that the construction part is over and the gym is up and running I’m hoping I can start working just 8 hours again   Sunday, I’m planning to prepare my meals for the week and put together a workout plan.  Man, once I get a routine going I’m going to be ripped … excuses are limited when you own or work at a gym.