fitnessprincess’s BodyBlog

With Dr. Joe I got a “peak week” document. Hmm… “peak week” now that sounds upbeat and positive. I was in shock when I saw what was in store for me last week. I got 1.5 gallon of water and 1.5-2 g sodium ALL week, more food, less cardio (20-30 min/day) and a full week of workouts. I was as happy as a clam and stands in stark contrast to what I did last time in April with CSF for “Hell Week”: With Cathy, on M-W I had protein only - no fats no carbs of any kind - and did full body depletion workouts and then Th-F I had very, very limited water (0.75 gallon Thurs, 0.33 gallon Friday) no workouts, and I was supposed to drink no water with meals, no salt, and limited carbs (spinach and sweet potato, specifically). I was miserable! I couldn’t function at work. What kills me in hindsight is that I actually did what they told me. CSF always says that they care about your health and that they don’t do anything extreme. Ummm… what they do is stupid and unhealthy. Odd considering their nutritionist herself has been suffering from a metabolism she messed up through bad competition dieting. What amazes me most though is that I actually did what they told me and that I didn’t question doing it. Chalk it up to brain fog I guess. That said ladies you shouldn’t have to do dumb stuff to compete in a figure competition. If your coach says that’s just what you have to do to compete then my advice. Find a good coach! I know most of you are young and think you will live forever and consequently can do anything but why go there? Why risk your good health and risk losing the physique you have worked so hard to obtain?

The implications of your choice of a coach are actually even more significant in terms of the aftermath of your competition. Here I am five days following my competition and I have had no problems with rebound. This is HUGE - sorry for the pun! Last time I went into a tailspin that lasted for over a month - I put on 16 pounds and I was miserable and out-of-control. I think the difference this time out is due to the fact that I was not restricted in any way in terms of the foods I could eat leading up to my competition and consequently I only ate foods that I truly enjoyed. Consequently I didn’t feel any need to binge because there wasn’t anything I was really craving.

I think I will stop here and urge you to seriously think about what you are doing and why you are doing it. If it doesn’t make sense, if it isn’t healthy, then it won’t serve you in the short term and definitely not in the long term. Work hard. Diet hard but diet healthily!