jcorbett’s BodyBlog

It was such a relief to stop the competition prep. There is always another competition. I reviewed my training notebook and plan to train legs twice weekly–targeting the adductor muscle via single legged squats, single legged leg presses, and single leg leg extensions. Walking lunges are a staple. I will alternate between plie squats, regular squats and hack squats. I have to watch the knee b/c it still aches at times.  I will continue cardio as a part of my training. I can only train three days a week so I will have to mix upper & lower body workouts.

I started abs last week. I hate core training and it hasn’t been a regular part of my routine. I have in the past allowed the decarb process to reveal abs, but soon after contest and carb consumption I carry a nice layer of water without any definition. I ordered the ab training book from Fitness Oxygen and will train moderately.

Plans for next year: Hire Bruno mid Jan. 2010 so that he can help me build deltoids, slim hips, muscle up adductors & hamstrings.

Compete as a amateur Master’s Bodybuilder April 2010.  Five months out & counting.

I am not ready to compete as a bodybuilder–my adductors aren’t defined and my hamstrings are a little too fleshy b/c I haven’t done enough cardio. Part of me wants to compete next week in the master’s figure instead, but I am not at my best so I’ll have to get over it and let it go. This comp prep I figured out the diet thing midway, but have missed a few cardio sessions, and I was distracted by my chaotic life.  I’ve got a thing about finishing what I start and the thought of not competing is bothersome, but in this sport if you don’t get the right combo of diet and training the body just doesn’t show well on stage. I failed this time, but am not giving up. My weight is down and part of me doesn’t want to scrap the dieting yet b/c I think there’s still hope–I may be delirious from the crash dieting, but I’m just being "real". This whole process was not this hard last year. Heck I was eating salted nuts by the handful and didn’t stop fruit until the week of the show and for the first decarb I didn’t give up oatmeal:)  New year new plan needed.
Now that bodybuilding has piqued my interest I will have to devise a new plan and execute it. April 2010 is a small show, the first one of the season. It is a realistic goal if I adequately prepare. I will need the help of my trainer so I will be asking Santa for some training money:) I need Bruno’s support and expertise to reach my competition goal–after this comp prep disaster I realize I have too many other things going on and can’t do this alone.

I’ve cut calories significantly and only have a.m. carbs and am pleased about my progress this week. I’ve had to increase the cardio, but am feeling okay. I was reviewing some bodybuilding posing routines to see if I "have what it takes". I think I can hang for a minute even with my stage fright issues. My abs are underdeveloped and they will need attention if I continue to compete. For now it’s time to drill the routine into my head and practice, practice, practice, posing.

Anyone who has ever prepared for a competition knows that the prep is often filled with challenges. For some of us it’s crazy work schedules, interruptions to diet, improper sleep, family, finances, etc. Add single parent with children ages 8 and 11 to the list and it’s impossible–at least for some folks. My weekdays and weekends are filled with a full-time job outside of my household, homework, chess tournaments, fundraisers, cooking, consoling, monitoring,  and motivating. My day begins at 5 a.m. and ends between 10 and 11 p.m. Last week I was only able to train once b/c I had to take my daughter to a few school visits, and she broke a bracket on her braces so we had to make an unplanned trip to the orthodontist. In addition, my son had a chess tournament on Sat. I don’t have any family so dropping them off with a relative isn’t an option. For the most part, our schedule is tight, but I am able to get in my training days. There isn’t much room for emergencies or new activities tossed in the mix, however, it is inevitable and has to be worked around even when it compromises my training time.

I haven’t thrown in the towel and have to step up cardio and cut more carbs so that I can bring up more definition on the thighs. I had to remind myself again why I am competing and its basically it’s because I want to. Additionally, if I am going to write about fitness I should have some success in the field.  In two weeks I will decide whether or not I will follow through with the next competition based on my progress.

As I attempt to replenish my wardrobe I want a new fresh look, I can’t decide what look I am trying to achieve. I don’t need stretch pants nor do I need to conceal a big belly or super wide hips anymore. I want sophisticated, mature & sexy, but I’m not sure what that looks like on my 5′9",  47 year old, 148 lbs frame. Last year after losing 25 pounds I shopped in the juniors department for jeans b/c the jeans were inexpensive. It was so exciting to put on a size that I hadn’t seen since my 20’s. It was a temporary fix. I have had some of my skirts taken in and have purchased a couple pairs of Anne Taylor slacks. However, I need a complete overhaul on my 9 to 5 and after 5 attire. I like a tailored look, but would like a little pizazz. If only I could wear yoga pants and a fitted tee for every occasion–life would be so simple.  How can I get on one of those fashion makeover shows?

I want to compete as a Master’s bodybuilder or a middle weight in the  next three weeks. I decided that I’m terrible in the 5" heels and don’t want to do the model pose required for figure. If I can pull it off (the posing practice & creating a 60 sec. routine), I should have a better shot at winning a trophy. I’m not sure when I became so competitive, but when I compete I want to win or at least place in the top five–perhaps I may be better at bodybuilding.

I talked to my former trainer and he asked me what was the problem. When I said I needed to lose the butt, his response was, "you’ve dieted before…" I whined, "but I don’t want to be hungry:)," and I was reluctant to commit to another figure comp. b/c I didn’t want to give up certain foods. In fact I was very nonsensical about dieting, fantasizing that fat burners & cardio were enough to drop 10 lbs., but I’ve got to cut calories if I want to hit the stage again.
I realize calorie reduction requires a strong and made up mind and I’ve been able to limit my to  1500-1600 in the past 5 days and haven’t fainted. Additionally, I had to go back to keeping a food log that helps me monitor my calorie intake. I’m looking leaner already–at least to myself:)

Training is fine. I started riding my bike because I have knee pain so I can’t run. I also do the stair climber–it’s great for keeping the glutes high & tight.

BTW another gym member said I looked perfect–while I know it’s not true, it was a nice up beat way to end my training.

Happy lifting to all!

Over the past few years I’ve received a number of emails, but the one that stands out the most in my mind is a guy who in his words said, "I wish I could get my wife to work out like you" so he asked for suggestions on how to motivate his wife. Somehow his question struck a raw nerve and I’m not sure why. My response was the following: make sure you cook dinner, take care of the children, buy her a new workout outfit, and take care of other chores so that she can have adequate time to get to the gym. I thought it was important for him to encourage her by making sure her needs were met, then maybe she  would  be inspired to make some physical changes.

I believe that internal motivation is the source that drives those of us who maintain healthy lifestyles. We may be encouraged and inspired by others, but ultimately it’s us who keep "us" in check. When I was dating a bodybuilder, he didn’t criticize me or harass me about going to the gym. I began to feel self-conscious about my physique and wanted to change. He was happy to show me resources and techniques that would help me actualize my transformation. However, it was "me" who had to make some tough choices about diet changes. When I decided I wanted to change, he supported my efforts.

What’s your opinion about mate motivation?

Part of the beauty of the bb.com community is the support & cheering I’ve received via cyberspace. Posting the progress photos was very helpful along with the weekly blogs which chronicled my fat loss journey. I also entered a few competitions to challenge myself and stay on point, physically. This summer I stopped posting progress photos b/c it’s a hassle to take photos and I’m not vain enough to want to jump in front of the camera every week, but I feel a disconnect and am not as enthusiastic about fitness as I was. I train b/c it’s necessary and sometimes it’s enjoyable. If I compete in Nov. it will be very low key. I’m not purchasing a suit or putting out any extra cash. Either I’m stage ready or I’m not.

I’ve had to go back to the "beginning" with diet to see what foods work and what doesn’t. I made a lot of mistakes last comp prep and was about 2 weeks off schedule when I competed in June. Additionally, training has been heavy & basic. I stopped gym cardio for about 2 weeks and just added 20 min. stair climbing to the schedule along with 15 miles per week of walking. I need to drop about 10 to 12 lbs. to be comp ready. I’ll decide in the next month if I’m going for it "one last time".

For those of you who are fabulously fit, what keeps you motivated? How do you establish new goals? Are you accountable to anyone besides yourself?

I don’t want to make my tween daughter super self-conscious, but she just hit puberty and won’t grow much taller. She is at the 80 percentile in weight and is not very active. I try to provide one balanced meal per day plus a good breakfast, but she likes snacks such as chips, cookies, cheese crackers, more than extra servings of vegetables & fruit (can’t blame her). Unfortunately, there isn’t enough during the week for sports so she is going to have to develop better eating habits. She asks about calories, she reads food labels (like mom), and is aware of the results of a high sugar high fat diet. But given the choice, junk food wins. I need to be able to suggest tasty snack alternatives that are satisfying.
My 8 year old son, on the other hand, is underweight, and needs to eat more food (he’s a grazer). He doesn’t like to eat much for breakfast (fruit & a granola bar), but is hungry by 9 a.m. I like to encourage him to eat extra crackers or chips so he can have the extra calories. He eats one balanced meal a day and likes green beans, collard greens, various fruits, french bread along with chips, cheese crackers, etc. He will also eat sunflower seeds and pistachios. I need to fill his lunch box with quality food that has good fat & calories.

Any suggestions? Recipes welcome:)