Chicana_Peach’s Transformation Blog

Yep, you heard right! I took it OFF. No gym for me today, it was a bit strange. My sis and I workout together and we just decided to take today off. One, she is sick with a sinus infection and we are both just tired (possibly overtraining). We have been feeling really tired since last week. I need to listen to my body and take a break, that is when the magic happens with the muscle growths This is my muscles "DANG CHICK, i can’t grow with NO rest…give me a BREAK!" LOL. I lift weights 5 days straight and then take off Saturday and Sunday (sometimes i still try to do SOMETHING on Saturdays if i hit the gym to do cardio). I have been doing moderate cardio 5-6xs a week and mostly will have the treadmill at a incline or i will hit the stair master. My legs get NO REST…LOL. It is amazing how they seem to keep on. Seriously though, i get so pumped in the gym and get to doing extra stuff at the end of my lifts just because. I am so determined to build my glutes and ham tie in that i really hit those hard, sometimes days back to back which i KNOW isn’t recommended. "Maybe, just maybe it will help me shock the muscles more…", that is what i tell myself and give in to extra crap. Workouts are about to change soon and the diet is going to be cleaned up. Got some recommendations from Scivation and going on the Lean Mass diet. I’m EXCITED to get going on it! I get to eat 2500 cals on workout days, wow! Seems like A LOT. I actually have close to that amount now (2200-2350 cals), but my macros of course are a bit off. Sometimes too much protein and what not. This is going to be great, nice to change it up! Time to make MORE GAINS!

I love to read about how our bodies work and it just really interests me. I came across an article on bodybuilding.com and these Q&A caught my eye the most. Thought i would share them here I have been lucky so far to still have my bicep veins still show although not as prominent as when i was leaning out I don’t think they are gross although some people do. The other stuff is pretty interesting to take a looksie!

GAIN MUSCLE AND LOSE FAT?

Question: I would like some help planning my diet for a roids cycle. I am planning to do it in two phases: 1 month to get cut, rest for a month and start a new one for mass while maintaining my low bodyfat. However I haven’t much experience on this. Can you give me a hand with this?

Answer: I don’t use steroids, don’t advocate their use, and can’t advise you regarding their use… but I understand something about gaining weight/mass and getting cut. Regarding your plan to get cut and then add mass… that is rather a foolish approach with or without steroids. You will find that it is far more effective to add mass when your bodyfat is higher, as this allows you to lift higher weights to stimulate growth, than you’d be able to do when you are relatively leaner. That is one of the problems dieting for a contest. Strength drops, not only because you are depleted, but also because you are leaner. Fat is strong, because it alters the biomechanics of the lift. Just look at powerlifters. Not too many bodybuilders who are great powerlifters, at least not in “contest” shape. Just my opinion, obviously, but one generated by 17 years of lifting experience and several years of competitive experience.

ABS STILL POUCHING OUT?

Question: Are you supposed to have to consciously hold your abs in? My abs are strong enough to do the advanced swiss ball exercises and they feel tight and my stomach is flat for a few minutes after I worked them but the next thing I know my abs are relaxed and pouching out again. Do you workout your abs and then the rest of the time your stomach stays flat and tight or do you think about holding them in. I just want to know what’s up with this and whether I need to be working alot harder or something.

Answer: Abs are like a woman’s cleavage… assistance is usually required to create the appearance–either a bra or positioning for the camera. Abs in those photos of bodybuilders and models are tight because they are being held tight, not because they are like that all the time. Sure, a big beer drinker’s gut is going to stick out further than yours which is well trained, but there is some slight conscious effort in holding it in. Totally relaxed, it will probably stick out a little.

So I hate to tell you all, but Pamela Anderson doesn’t walk out of the shower with cleavage, and her tummy probably sticks out a little bit too. Of course, I’m sure she still looks pretty good!

BIG BICEP VEIN?

Question: Some people seem able to develop what I call the “power vein”. That’s the vein which goes down the length of the biceps. Even on rather small arms, the power vein gives the impression of massive biceps. I am totally unable to develop The Vein, much to my disappointment.

“I’ve got the bicep vein and you don’t!” - Jeff Long. (c) Avidan

Answer: That’s called the Cephalic Vein, and as you’ve observed, it seems to be very important to give that look of huge arms. I have a great one on my right arm, but I don’t have one on my left arm… never did, never will. It is just a bit of genetic variation, and this sort of thing occurs with veins. If it’s something you really feel compelled to have, you could probably find someone to do a vein graft for you… or would that be a "vain" graft? Probably not worth the cost. Just get your biceps so big, that no one notices the lack of a vein.

I’m still waiting for my Scivation plan from Derek. I’m excited to see what they have for me and ready to get on track right. A little lost right now, just winging it with the eating. The weekends are the hardest for me. I did have a mixed drink last night as it was *date night* so me and hubby went out. I didn’t have anything after that meal though. I think i’m going to cut down my meals to 5 instead of 6 to cut down the calories and carbs. I don’t know why, but at night i’m a CARB FIEND! Sheesh. I also need to get in some more steak, that is all i hear "eat steak, eat more steak…bleh". I do want to try Bison since i hear its even better than lean steak. What you all trying to say?? Huh?? Shoo! I’m not ECTO like some people think seriously. The endo side is trying to come out…lol. I had to buy some bigger jeans the other day that i wore yesterday (Size 9 juniors, eeekkk!!!!) and bought an Apple Bottoms shirt that was on sell (mark my words, I WILL HAVE MY APPLE BOTTOMS!! HAHA!). SUCKS to see the higher numbers, no more 5/6 for me Big thighs and bigger midsection, tell me its going to get better! They need a clothing line just for women that bulk. I do want more muscles so i’m doing what it takes.

Over training - i think i may do this sometimes cause i constantly STAY SORE! I have been mixing things up so maybe its not overtraining, just the body is guessing what the hell i’m doing..hehe. I mean i like being sore cause i feel like something is going on. Then it kind of freaks me out when my quads are sore cause i was told i need to lose some size in them since they are overpowering…hmmm. My arms are really getting a beating, i had my bro in law spot me the other day on chest day and i got to lift 20 lbs more with him there, of course i didn’t finish out my reps. Needless to say, my chest was killing me for the next 2-3 days. Good stuff though. I have also been doing ATG squats, something i haven’t attempted (just went parallel) since a trainer bodybuilder guy advised me on it. So far, i like them. I had to step on my ego and drop the weight, starting over, its ok. I am getting to where i don’t like to work my legs as much and my favorites to work are the shoulders and biceps. Ok, enough of my rambling…going to get ready to head out here in a little while. I need some sweats so i’m more comfortable. Laters!

Well, here i am almost a month after my 2nd figure competition and on my way to adding more lean mass. This is SOOO different from a cutting diet for sure. You have to figure out what works best for you on ratios and what not. I keep reading articles and getting different ideas, some say to cut the carbs really low and keep the fats high if you want to stay lean. Others say keep the carbs high and watch the fat intake…UGH! So confusing. I’m thinking i need carbs (good ones of course) to grow and i have been averaging around 2200-2600 calories (yes, that much). Getting enough protein, but sometimes a little too much. I have been averaging in the 30s percentage for each macro (protein, carbs, fats). Sound alright or just too much? I am about to get some info from Scivation on bulking so we will see what happens with that. I want to put on the most muscle and be ready to compete again in May or June. Also on the tummy tuck procedure, well i do want to get it done and just trying to figure out the best date for that. I would like to get it done before this year is out, but i have to see. I have to have someone around for the recovery time as i will have my 2 yr old and can’t be too cripple…lol. I know a figure girl who had the procedure done and she said it took her about 6 weeks to recover, wow i’m going to freak out not training that long!! Muscle memory right

Clothing - getting snug! I don’t like that part of bulking. I have bought some new sweats to wear during this process, but will be buying some *bulk* jeans to have. I like having a butt again though Can’t wait to build up my glutes and have a nice shapely butt that will fill out my jeans better. Freaking thigh part on most jeans are snug on me. I still have bicep veins and still get great pumps at the gym! I freaked out two ladies walking by me while i was doing 21’s. One just made this disgusted face while walking by with her friend and pointed at my arms, i was looking dead at her. I just laughed. They then went to the bench machine and one of the chicks was struggling benching with just the 45lb bar…lol. How dare they! Some people think muscles and veins are just so gross. I don’t though I LOOOOOVVVVEEE it! Very empowering I feel my back is widening and just overall feel like i’m growing. Doing moderate cardio 5-6xs a week so i can stay some what lean. I know i’m burning a lot of calories during my workouts cause i really work up a sweat! I say if you aren’t sweating while lifting, then you AREN’T working hard enough! I’m guessing its possible to gain around 1/2 a pound of muscle a week, i thought i read that some where, anyone know whats the max a week? Just curious! Any input on the whole bulking process is much appreciated! I know not to focus on the scale numbers (i haven’t been on the scale too much), but on how you feel and look. Still feeling lean, just fuller. Thanks!