Christy’s BodyBlog

I finally have internet access again!  Now all I need is a camara so that I can keep current with progress pics.  My goals have changed slightly since the last time I was on here.  I had planned to start cutting in May because I was going to try and compete in August.  Couldn’t compete so I am focusing on adding muscle for next year’s competition.  oooookkkk….thought I might have a second on here…but my daughter just woke up….and at 3 yrs old telling her to go play a minute is out of the question.  The computer is a toy and while I am trying to type this she is trying to hit every key!!!  next time………

I got laid off.  Sucks.  Of course I’m filing for unemployment but c’mon!  That’s just not enough.  My husband is in sales, all commission, and his sales are way down on top of everything.  UGGHH! 

On the bright side I am hoping I can find a better job.  I am trying to look at it like an opportunity…..

Warning….just need to rant a little…

First of all the gym this morning was packed.  Full of people I have never seen and a few more that rarely show up at 5:30 in the morning.  I guess I should be happy they are trying to become healther….but this morning I was not happy…I was downright irritated!  Everytime I went to start an excercise someone was in the way or using the machine. ugghh!  Get off my machine!  I know, I know…I can hear it now…you have to be able adapt your workouts, blah, blah, blah ….but I write everything down before I go to the gym and this normally not a problem because….well….it’s 5:30 in the morning!  This is why I stopped going after work.   Aaahhh, oh well, just had to get that off my chest….guess I’m going to have to start going at 4:30am!

A few other things have me down.  I had made a decision that I was going to set a goal.  I picked out a competition for figure in August and had started to plan out my diet and training.  I was really excited to finally have a goal…and then I sat down to figure out my budget…and I low balled it y’all….$1500….between suit, shoes, tanning, makeup, hair, competition fees, etc….and so reality sunk in….I do not have the money to compete this year, which is very disappointing.  I mean it could be done…I could pinch here and there to make it happen…but it would not be fair to my husband…because he wants a motorcycle really bad and we had come to the conclusion that we just couldn’t afford to get him one this year. 

And there are other circumstances that make the situation even a little more wary.  Sales for the company I work for is down 30% and they have already laid off 3 people and they are talking about cutting "other expenses".  They have also asked for volunteers to go down to a 4 day work week (which, of course, I would love to do but can’t afford the pay cut).  I’m afraid that if enough people don’t volunteer that our pay will be cut…or worse, more people laid off.  Needless to say I am stressed and frustrated.

….ok, done!  Enough of the negativity!  I am alive and well and have a beautiful family!  I have roof over my head and food on the table!  And of course I always have the iron that I can take all my frustrations out on!!!! 

I have gained the 5 lbs I set out to gain…but I am going to try and gain another 5.  Sounds easy, right?  BS…especially when trying to do it the right way.  To be honest my diet hasn’t been very clean or consistent…more like 70% clean and anywhere from 1800-2100 calories.

My goals:  Eat 90% clean, 2100-2200 calories, 35P/35C/30F

I want to start cutting May 10th so I am going to have to be spot on if I want to gain mostly muscle.

I workout in the mornings and have to shower and get ready at the gym for work.  I use the Dove (or some equivalent) facial clothes (the dry kind that lather when wet) and it doubles as a wash cloth for my body.  Our gym has a soap dispenser so this helps, too.  That way I don’t have to bother with bringing facial cleanser (that could break open in my bag) or worry with bringing/storing a wet wash cloth, just toss and go.  I normally try and not go for disposable products…but this is one convenience I have decided is worth it…another reason to maximize its use.

Also, I pack my protein powder in seperate sandwich baggies and reuse the baggies to cut down on waste.

 Does anyone else have any tips on saving time, money or the enviroment?

Several reasons really. 

One, I am starting to regain some energy.  The extra sleep and calories are starting to pay off. 

Second, I ordered an IronGym and it’s supposed to be here Monday.  I can’t wait to try it out.  I want to be able to do at least 10 pullups (and build up my lats) and it’ll be great to be able to bust out a few whenever I please…before long it’ll be 10 (or more), baby!

Third, Jessica and Peter Putnam are putting on the 2nd Annual Weider Seminar at my gym tomorrow!!!  Proceeds from the event will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  There will be bench pressing competition and a men and women’s fitness seminars.  Dexter Jackson, Dennis James, Jessica and Peter Putnam, Kathleen Tasori, and Jen Widerstrom (Phoenix from American Gladiators) are all going to be there. Bodybuilding.com is going to be there, too (model search).  And on Sunday there is a posing clinic…but I , unfortunately, do not have the money for that.  But all in all, a pretty exciting weekend….for me, anyway, lol.

I have been exhausted and trying to prioritize my time.  I don’t think it was time effective for me to enter my workouts (through workout tracker) or paste a copy of my diet here daily.  I enter my workouts in a notebook (bodyminder FTW!!) and my diet via fitday (most of the time, I pretty much eat the same things everyday, so occasionally I don’t bother) so it just seemed like double duty.   I know it doesn’t seem like much…but eliminating those and alot of other small unnecessary things has really helped.  Also, I have started taking a nap during my lunch hour,  increased my calories to 2000-2200 and increased my fat ratio….. 

I had blood work done  a couple of weeks  and I thought, for sure, there must be something wrong with me…I mean, I have been constantly tired, can’t get out of bed in the morning, ready to go to bed at 5pm tired.  Guess what…I’m perfectly healthy…hormone levels normal, vitamin levels normal, etc.  It was kind of a shock learning that nothing was wrong with me because I really was expecting something….I was ready to find out what was wrong and go about fixing it.  Well, I’m doing just that (without the sickness).  I am making myself more accountable for the lack of energy and working to correct it!

When I get a chance I will update my profile with a list of foods I eat and if I come across any tasty recipes I will post them.  Everyone have a good weekend!

I have been pushing it really hard in the gym the last couple of weeks and I am really excited that I am starting to see some progress.  It’s weird but I think I can actually feel my muscles growing.  I am consistently eating at above maintenance so I think I am finally starting to see some real progress in muscle growth…not just shape.  Maybe I am just being optimistic….does anyone else "feel" their muscles growing??  So I’ve been good at eating above maintenance..but I have not been consistant with my macros.  Is that really important when one is bulking?  I mean as long as your getting enough protein, then how important are your fat and carb macros when bulking?  Any advise?  Thanks!

Feeling a little blah today, don’t have much to say so I will just get down to business.  Trying to get back in the groove.  Need to be as strict with my diet as I am with my training….

I have not had internet access for a while (only have it at work).  My daughter has been sick with a viral infection and my husband with strep.  I have a lot of work to catch up on so I probably will not have time to post my diet today or for the last four for that matter.  I have been doing OK–a little more difficult to stay on track while taking care of a sick 3 yr old and 38 yr old husband.  Isn’t it funny that when a man gets sick it is the end of the world…when a woman gets sick, well let’s just be honest…a woman isn’t "allowed" to get sick…still got to take care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, etc….no rest for the weary.  In all honesty it was a pleasure taking care of them and very worth it to hear my little girl (and boy) say "thank you mommy".