jcorbett’s BodyBlog

I am terrified each figure competition just before I walk out on stage. Something about exposing my assets and flaws makes me a little nervous. I am so not happy when I’m not "called out" and leave the stage sulking, but after a few days of carbs, I want to compete again. Yes, I have the "competition bug". Sixteen months ago I laughed aloud when someone suggested that I compete. Something about being objectified was a turn off. However, when I decided to show off my physique in the fall, I competed to celebrate the victory of surpassing my weight loss goal. The competition gave me training focus and helped me stay on point with my diet. Therefore, my paradigm for figure competition has shifted and I now see figure competition as a sport instead of exploitation.

I enjoy the comp preparation because I train anyway–the competition just give me focus and a sense of urgency. My training and comp prep time is the only thing I do outside of family (with the exception of my career). It has become an essential part of my life and helps me maintain balanced life.

Since I have decided to continue competing, I need develop strategies to deal with whether or not I get "called out". At the moment I take it personal and feel like garbage, but quickly realize that there is always someone else that will look better. It’s not a reflection on my hard work–it’s just the nature of competing–at least that’s what I’ve been told (LOL).

At some point I will also have set my ego aside long enough to approach the judges for feedback.

I am tenatively planning to do two competitions in the fall with hopes of placing in the top five. Until then, I will train like a champ and stay on point with the diet.

I am still not totally confident as a competitor so I was really nervous. There were approximately 20 competitors at the masters level. I didn’t make top five, but did make 9th place. My post comp meal of hummus of pita bread  and stuffed grape leaves; along with a good nights rest has given me the fuel for devising new fitness goals. I am tired after 16 weeks of figure comp prep and plan to rest 3 days before beginning a new training routine.

I want to gradually increase calories over the next three weeks and maintain a healthy balance of complex carbs, healthy fats (20 - 30%), and lean fish (a little chicken). I will return to the gym on Wed. and begin working on legs. I will re-institute the two day leg routine that targets hamstrings one day and quads another day. I am going to start working out with a partner the end of the month–this will be a welcomed change. I still need help with new weight training routines. I want to continue shaping my quads and glutes. I also want to continue developing my upper body, but will focus on maintaining a balanced frame.

It’s twelve days out and I’m still not lean as I’d like to be. I began this comp prep with a good training plan, but since I thought I was the "fat loss" diva, I did not expect to be as challenged with the weight loss.  I began doing things like I did last contest prep & I even began earlier–probably giving myself a false sense security. Eight weeks out up & down with weight. Six weeks out increased cardio, modified diet & supplements. Even changed routine combo. Without a trainer, the learning curve is huge…..it’s trial and error, a day late & a dime short. I’m still getting to know this body and am a novice at comp prep. It’s all baseline data and it’s frustrating to be wrong about my predictions–a science project gone bad. I am tired of coming up with new hypotheses, but it’s the only way I will learn.

I thought about regroupping and going for another contest, but since I’m not a quitter, I’m going ahead as planned. Training hard this last week and paying close attention to everything I eat. Post contest I need to write up my journal as a point of reference, analyze, consult with some experts in the field, and devise new training goals that target weak areas.

Last week I wanted to quit the contest prep; felt like I couldn’t do it again. Not as lean as I want to be, but still have 2 weeks 5 days to go. Just figured out the Creatine is making me bloated and should have cut it last week. I should be able to shed some water this week and see some changes. Instead of freaking out I have to do like the addicts pledge, "just for today…. I’ll stop undermining my efforts…, I won’t allow others to disturb my peace, I will give it my all…."

I was able to meet with a few figure women after the pre-judge. It was so encouraging just to chat with them.  I am going thru as planned and see how I do. Then I will decide the next step. 

Still a newbie and have much to learn. 

Note to self: cut creatine 4 weeks out or just leave alone.

Yesterday I attended my first pro show–thought it included figure comp, but didn’t. It still was a good experience. I tried not to act like a groupie, but did sit in front of Dayana Cadeau. I quenched the urge to run up to Silvio & English. There were a few other bodybuilders that I recognized, but don’t know the up & coming males or females. It was like being in a surreal environment. Many audience members profiling & flexing–a show within a show. Nevertheless, I learned a few things from watching the pros and am beginning to be able to make observations about physiques in terms of balance, tightness, and presentation. Hopefully, this will help me as I continue to develop my physique and presentation.

I was just talking about Hydroxycut Hardcore–can’t use it b/c it gives me the jitters. Discontinued the non caffiene Hydroxycut–wanted a change. Just started using Lipo6 yesterday b/c I want separation in my quads for the show. Cardio alone ain’t doing it. I plan to use it short term (max 14 days) b/c it disrupts my sleep–the recall makes me wonder, but I will continue use of the fat burner as planned.

Those of you who use fatburners, will you continue to use them?

Five weeks out, five pounds & two inches to go, it was nice to hear that my muscles look sexy this morning considering that I haven’t been feeling on point as of late. I was grateful for the compliment.

I took a week off and just did cardio last week b/c I haven’t been losing. It did make a slight difference–I lost 2 lbs. last week and I’ve upped the cardio from 30 min. 4 days weekly to two hours, three days per week, one hour, two days per week. I also changed my training routine: Quads/hamstrings/calves; chest/back; bi/triceps; and shoulders. Supersetting with each routine.

I’m in too deep to quit so it’s crunch time….

A friend shared some contemporary soul/house music with me. It’s refreshing and the perfect tempo for the cardio burn. I’ve been out of town for two weeks, my diet has been compromised, I still feel a little bloated from restaurant food, but I have new found hope–the music inspires me and I work harder. It will probably take a week to detox from being out of my element, rest broken, and taking in a few toxins (e.g. tequila shot, bbq chicken, 1 T mac & cheese, 1 T potato salad). I was talking to my former trainer yesterday saying, I’m not sure if I’ll lose the pounds necessary to compete. I’ve lost inches, but my weight keeps fluxuating–need to cut more calories, but I’m sooooooooo hungry. Anyhow, still training like champ (LOL).

The suit has been ordered so I really need to get back on track and drop 8 more lbs., and 1/2" off the hips, 1/2" off the thighs, and 1" off the waist. There’s still hope:), but I’ve got so much work to do………

Thank goodness for photos and old blogs. They serve as a reference point and a source to keep me going. I have lost about a 1/2" thighs, 1/2 hips, and 1/4" in the waist, but the scales are not showing much difference. It’s time to give up dairy–I don’t do much anyway so it’s not a big sacrifice. I’ll have to drop the unsalted mixed nuts sooner than later–I didn’t give them (salted) up last time until 2 weeks out. I’m going to Nashville, then Ohio so my daily food intake will suffer some, but not a great deal, b/c I will have a car and be able to buy most of my food from the grocery store–I hope.

Training is going well since I dumped the split schedule. I was able to get in a split on Thurs., but for the most part I am trying to get a sufficient amount of sleep (6.5 to 7 hrs). I’ll be able to train at the hotel in Nashville and will buy a week long pass in Ohio. Someone stopped me at the gym last week. She said she saw me compete last year and was inspired to lose weight. She was 200 lbs and lost a great deal of weight since Nov. It was quite a heartwarming experience. Now that I am aware folks are watching me I can’t give up and must accomplish my next goal.

My rhythm was thrown off today from the time I stepped into the gym. I didn’t warm up with leg extensions b/c someone was nursing the machine so I stretched a little. Then I forgot that I was supposed to be super setting. When I finally moved to the second exercise someone started talking to me in the middle of a set. About mid-way during leg lunges I began looking at the clock as if it could expedite my work out. I needed the training fairy today. I was tired from the weekend, disappointed that my weight loss is not going according to plan, and annoyed by the fact that I am carrying a little water weight.

Thank goodness the bodybuilding angel showed up and gave me a pep talk. After torturing my quads and shoulders, I did cardio and was on the machine next to Will. When he asked how I was doing, I told him so he shared a few words of encouragement. It was just what I needed to get thru cardio and also what I needed to shift my attitude for the week.

I am still fumbling with my training schedule. Decided that I’d rather not do split training on Mon. & Tues. b/c of alternative parking. It’s frustrating to go to the gym @ 6, rush home, and can’t find parking. I’ll have to train and do cardio in the afternoons on M & T. By doing this I will be able to resume my walk to work routine (1.5 miles each way).

Carb loaded unintentionally this past weekend and must compensate nutritionally for this action. I’ll have to decrease starchy carbs & overall cal intake by 100.