jcorbett’s BodyBlog

I’m still getting emails, in person congrats, and comments from gym peers about the competion. Some just say "congrats you looked great", others say, "you looked great, next time you should…(of course these are non figure competitors), yet others say, "you know this up & down weight thing is hazardous to your health (from my overweight buddies). I’ve even received a recommendation of a new trainer to "help me win".  I had fun, but unlike some figure competitors, I will not spend my paychecks on the "right nutrition guru and trainer" to get me ready for the next comp. I’m not sure I’ll do it again b/c it takes a lot of time and money. However, I will continue to train as if I’m in pursuit of a "pro card"–well almost.

I took a week off (first time in a year) from weight training after the last competition b/c I got some kind of intestinal virus. I was dehydrated and struggling to get some type of balance in my daily nutrition. There are probably certain foods you should eat to make physical homeostasis possible, but I couldn’t figure it out. I also slept a lot (10 to 12 hours), but I’m much better this week.

My new goal is to build mass and I’m trying Dave Gluhareff’s mass building plan. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/gluhareff1.htm. I just eliminated the calves exercise–I never do calves. I started yesterday with legs and was so excited about this new training program. I was able to do everything and thought I should add something, but decided to stick to the plan. I’m sore today and looking forward to doing arms & shoulders tomorrow.

Here’s my 40/30/30 nutrition plan:

Meal 1: 4 egg whites, 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup berries (270 calories)Meal 2: Myoplex lite & nuts (360 calories)

Meal 3: 4 oz. lean meat or tofu, veggies & complex carb–brown rice, wheat pasta, avocado, sweet potato–(450 calories)

Meal 4: Isopure, yogurt, & golean cereal (300 calories)

Meal 5: 4 to 6 oz. lean meat, veggies & fruit 300 calories

Meal 6: ?

Still making adjustments, but that’s the basic framework.

Trying to make the most of mass building these next 30 days.

I’m still riding the high of all the friends and family support during the last phase of competition prep.  A few friends came for the pre judging and said I had the best glutes (LOL). It was heart warming to hear that many of them were inspired to revisit their fitness goals. In fact strangers came up to me and said what an "inspiration". I admire the discipline of all competitors and now have somewhat of an idea of what it takes to be a contender.

I celebrated Saturday’s competition by treating myself to a turkey burger with fruit salad. I’m not sure if it was the white bread, turkey burger, or citrus that caused the belly ache & other intestinal issues which lasted throughout the day (Sunday). I ended up going to bed @ 6:30 p.m. and drinking pedialyte most of today. Not the recovery I envisioned.  I was looking forward to a rigorous workout, but I guess I have to rest, reflect, and recover.

As the stains of Pro-Tan fade along with the competition excitement, I have established a new goal of building muscle. I have to reconstruct my diet and weight training routine and am looking forward to the new challenge.

I competed in the NPC Eastern Figure Comp. and didn’t place, but unlike last week I felt a lot more comfortable. While I was disappointed, I wasn’t surprised and could see that the winners were a lot bigger at the top and leaner at the bottom.

My peers from last week complimented me on the major improvements made in such a short period and they urged me not to give up. I was able to talk to some of the women in the tall and Master’s class. Conversations ranged from grad school to food fantasies. Got some tips and exchanged phone no. & email addresses. I’ve already begun thinking about my new fitness goals that include putting on more mass on my arms and lat area. A women who helped up get dressed also suggested that "when I prepare next time" do 2 hrs cardio daily–that’s not going to happen. i was a bit annoyed with her, but looked at my photos and can see that I am bottom heavy–34" hips with the curve, but big thighs (20 1/2" ha, ha) that seemed  to be "judged favorably" amongst figure competitors. I plan to keep my "hips & thighs", but hope to create the illusion of the v-taper by widening my upper body.  I’m looking forward to training hard again and eating my normal "clean foods".  I miss eating salad, tomato, fresh fruits, and other favorite foods.

I’m packing away the bikini bite, moving the Pam to the kitchen, and throwing away the left over ProTan. My goal was to do two shows and I’m glad I did. I’m not sure if I want to go thru this process again, but we’ll see in Jan. afterall who knows what can happen in the next 6 months?

Just 48 hours after my first contest I am preparing for the second one on Sat. I ate sweet potato, Golean cereal, toaster waffles, low carb bread, & a banana in addition to my regular protein and veggie intake yesterday and tried to enjoy my meals along with 2 gallons of water. While it was not the wisest eating choice, I was satisfied. Extreme cardio all week, YAY-not (LOL), and one more round of carb depletion.  

I am so fired up about this next show. People have warned me that the competition is tough, the women are tight, and that many participants are seeking pro card. Nevertheless, I feel up to the challenge and determined to bring in my "A" game. Slight modifications to the two piece, more stones to both suits, new earrings, a bracelet, new hairdo, and positive attitude are fueling my confidence.

The most important change to this week’s competition prep is my attitude. As the saying goes, "your attitude determines your altitude". I have a better idea of what to expect, understand that there will always be someone who looks better than me, and know that just because I think I look good enough doesn’t mean I can skimp on the preparation process. I won’t obsess about what I could have done better last Sat. I know what I want to do differently at the NPC Eastern Division this Sat. I want another trophy, but more importantly I want to know that I did my best. This time my friends will be in attendance and will probably have someone helping me get ready–if not I’ll make some new friends that day.

Amazing how carbs, hydration, and a good nights sleep have reshaped my paradigm for success.

I was so nervous during the pre-contest. I didn’t know the modeling pose and intially did the wrong side pose, but did well overall on the quarter turns. I placed fifth in the C Class and was glad to get a trophy despite the fact I was a tad bit unprepared.  The Master’s Class women were very nice to me and helped with my suit, bikini bite, salty snacks, make-up advice, oil sheen, and feedback. The primary criticism from my peers and a trainer who was in the audience is that I didn’t show much personality on stage and my suit was too plain. They complimented me on my lines and legs and suggested a different style bikini suit top to make me appear wider.  It was because of these fantastic women I stayed. I was a little miffed by the judges seemingly dismissive attitude and felt they didn’t give me any consideration, but to some degree I was wrong.  I believe physically I was prepared, but needed more insight re: stage presentation. None of my friends attended this show, but there were some people in the audience that cheered for me and reminded me to smile so I relaxed a little.

I am so not a "figure girl". The dressing room is way too crowded, the glamour diva’s hog the space, we’re on last so we miss others presentations, and I have brown feet (bottoms) from the ProTan.  I don’t have the patience to wait 12 minutes to line up and it’s really 45 minutes. I don’t like selling myself in order to get a high score–so obviously this sport is not for me. [Okay, perhpaps this is not an accurate statement. I don’t sell myself well, tend to be a behind the scenes person and need to build up my confidence and show the judges what I’m working with. I’m already thinking about how I can improve my stage presentation next Sat. I believe I can do 50 to 75% better than the first time:)]

I am glad that I did this show b/c next week’s competition is tough and as a novice I will have to just smile & breath and hope to place 11th:) I know I will get a participation medal like all the other contestants.  Guess I’ll get the glue out and start adding more stones to these suits. I’ll try to get a better feel for this "modeling pose".

Post comp meal: 2 egg whites, 1 egg, steel cut oats, chamomile tea, and a luna bar.

BTW this is my first athletic competiton–played team sports, but not much of a competitor. We’ll see if I have the competition bug post NPC Eastern Comps. or post traumatic stress disorder. Either way I will need to take up a collection so that I can see my therapist (my trainer) for at least another year (LOL).

In these last few days as I prepare for my first figure competition I am trying to find ways to relax and avoid anxiety producing events. I decided not to watch the election b/c I know it will be addicting and stressful to watch. I voted @ 6 a.m. with my children in tow and was pleased to see how crowded the polls were at that hour.  I decided to try gluing on rhinestones this morning after two days of mentally planning placement of the stones. As I listened to one of my favorite CD’s I got into the bedazzled zone and carefully glued each swarovski crystal around the edge of my suit. I didn’t finish, but don’t have much more to do. I spent about an hour this morning and will place more stones on the suit tomorrow. It was much easier than I thought. I purchased approx. 450 ss 20’s along with a "bling kit" that contained syringes for the glue, a wooden stick, alcohol preps, and wax. I placed the wax on the tip of the stick to pick up the stones, put glue on the suit, placed the stone, & voila, instant bling:).

I have also been play PC games to avoid obsessing about the election and the up and coming competitions. I trained and practiced posing today and my trainer says I’m ready. Tomorrow I start decarbing for 3 days and will do an A. M. intermittent cardio session. I will also walk 3 miles.  Thurs. will be a regular training/cardio day. Fri. rest.

I have found a source for ProTan and will begin applying Thurs. evening. 

Think my post comp. meal will be a banana, peanut butter, & GoLean cereal or I might splurge on whole wheat toaster waffles and vegeterian sausage.

Okay, I went to a local tanning salon and got a spray on tan, "oh", the sales person said, you should see more color in a few hours. It didn’t cover a thing. What a waste of time and money (as if I have it to waste). I need another plan, my bikini bottom summer tan lines are quite pronounced. It seems that I can only order pro tan online. Any New Yorkers have a tanning salon recommendation? 

I went to M & J Trimming in Manhattan yesterday and purchased swarovski crystals. My 10 year old daughter & I spent the afternoon trying to design a pattern, but I haven’t glued a thing–scared I’m going to mess up my velvet, cost too much, posing suits. Gotta consult with my art & crafts buddies to see how to flatten these suits enough so that I can glue on the crystals.  I wish I could just wear the plain posing suits, but I know the crystals will make them look so much better. My energy for extra stuff is very low.

Got a call from the competition show promoter for the 15th. I registered for the Masters and "D" class, but he informed me that I would have to pay an additional fee, in essence pay the same registration fee again. No problem, I’ll just compete in one class, the Masters, and call it a day.

I need to resolve this tanning issue. My hair & nails need to be done–have a Fri. appt.   I am trying not to do a lot of last minute running around. The day of the show I have to take my daughter for testing in Harlem from 8:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. My son has a soccer game also that day. I have hired a sitter for the afternoon. The pre-judging is @ 5 and the show will begin immediately after. A few of my friends said they would be there to cheer me on.

I will start decarbing on Wed. I’ve already started with the diuretic. Things are coming together and I am anxiously anticipating the day, either I’ll be horrified (stage fright) or elated (my true histrionic self will emerge–LOL), we’ll see.