jcorbett’s BodyBlog

I will compete in a NPC Figure competition June 6, 2009 so I plan to start my cutting diet on 3/9/09–just about 12 weeks out. I want to compete at 138 lbs and drop 1.5 inches off my waist and 1.5 inches off my hips. I will begin training 4 days per week for 4 weeks, then increase to 5 days. I will start with upper body two times weekly and lower body two times weekly. I will split legs quads one day & hamstrings the other. I will also try hitting delts twice weekly. I like super and tri-sets b/c I can accomplish more in a shorter period of time. Additionally, it’s time to start training the abs. I will also increase cardio (stair climber) to 30 min. 4 times weekly along with my 12 to 15 miles of walking.

I haven’t figured out the fine details of my nutrition plan. I know I have to reduce my starchy carbs. I’ve tried carb loading every 3 days, but my sugar spikes and I feel yuck. I may experiment with increasing starchy carbs on training days only and cutting them out at dinner altogether. I may also replace one of my snacks with a protein drink or meal replacement drink instead of my Luna bar & fruit –I like to eat food so continue to search for food alternatives. 

I need to order my suit by 3/13/09. I decided on plain again and will decorate myself–it saves a little cash and gives me an opportunity to develop my creative side (LOL).  I will have to practice posing at least 3 to 4 times weekly (or more).

That’s all for now, but it’s a start. Got any cutting tips? Please share.

Thanks.

BTW: My weight is 152 lbs today so I have probably gained 4 pounds of muscle in the past 5 weeks. I enjoyed a starchy carb weekend along with a shot of tequila. I can see the water retained in my abs, but it’s okay. I’ll get back on track this week. I also missed a training day last week–probably needed the rest.

A friend gave me a guest membership to a gym that starts with an "E" and ends with an "X". It is quite lavish, 4 floors, a snack shop, and child care. What else could one ask for? It was so boring. It was a quiet, clean, and sterile atomosphere where towels are provided. The clientele had no heart. I missed being in an environment where the weight training is intense. These people seemed to flock to classes and enjoy being trained by folks who didn’t represent the industry well. Cardio equipment was also a popular.  The sales woman didn’t even give me the pitch–she saw the whey protein drink and didn’t even gear up. 

Oh, well, it was free, but not like my home gym.

I will probably do more gym visits to get a sense of the industry and maybe I will be able to meet some other figure competitors–just need to know where they "hang out".

Last week I forgot that I was 46 years old–thought I was 26. I did my leg routine and and ran (jogged) on the treadmill. I haven’t attempted to jog in over a year, but felt strong that day and decided to give it a try to see if I still "had it". I walked for 5 min., then jogged for 5 minutes. I wasn’t winded so I cranked it up to 6.1 and ran for another 5 minutes, then walked for 3 minutes and tried running again. I felt great, broke out in a sweat, and the endorphins kicked in so I kept going for another 5 minutes. I didn’t want to "push it" so I stopped after 20 minutes. I walked a mile home and relaxed a few minutes before picking up my son. When I attempted to walk down the stairs I felt a tear slide out of the corner of my eye b/c my knee hurt me sooooooooo bad I could barely make it down the steps. I hopped down 4 flights of stairs and kept going. I tried stretching, bending, elevating, icing–still pain. I walked to the gym the next day–still in pain. Did back and decided not to try deadlifts.

What a fool–I was showing off. I’m better now, but it was quite a scare.

Will I ever learn to "act my age" (LOL)?

Friends and family are beginning to ask for help with nutritional changes and suggested exercises for toning. This may be my segway into personal training. I need a side gig and was thinking about getting my license to practice individual therapy, but decided that I don’t want to do "talk therapy anymore". Personal trainers seem to be like hair dressers in that they are privy to personal info about their clients and can be great listeners during a training session. I considered the idea last year, but don’t have time when school is in session. I’ve checked out some of the certification requirements and looked for jobs at the local gyms, but don’t want anything attached to sales and need a limited amount of hours. I have a few marketing ideas, but really need to develop a business plan.

Does the type of certification matter?

In this unstable economic climate how are personal trainers doing?

How does one begin her career as a personal trainer? Any organizational recommendations?

*BTW I’ve gained 1 pound of muscle in the past 2 weeks:)

My 10 year old daughter suggested that I try online dating. She said her friend’s mother does it all the time. Initially I said no, there’s nothing but freaks & weirdo’s out there in cyberspace and they lie about everything. However, on impulse I decided to give it a shot and posted a profile on Fri. After going thru several "flirts", "winks" and emails, I finally me a bodybuilder who lives in Fla. Not someone to date, due to the distance, but seems like a good contact.

Online dating in principle is a great idea in theory, b/c most of us, especially single parents, don’t have a lot of time to meet people outside of work and family related activities.  Well, I terminated my membership after 3 days, but have 27 days remaining so I’ll try to make the best of it. These folks are really quite comical, in ways they probably never intended.

If you have any online stories/horrors/success, please share, I’d love to hear.

You know the saying, "sometimes less is more"….? Well, this new routine has me sweating and I usually don’t sweat no matter how hard I work. I did legs mid week last week: leg curls (100, 110 @ 120lbs) 3 sets of 10; leg press (290lbs) feet 12" apart–really hit the quads; deep squats w/ barbell, narrow stance (low weight); & good mornings (low weight)–new exercise for me; along with 20 min. stair master level 6 & 10. I was sore from Wed. to Sat. Fri. I did back: assisted chin ups, still @ 80lbs assist; reverse pull downs (70/80/90 lbs) 3 sets 8 - 12; seated cable rows (80/90/100 lbs) 3 sets 8 - 12; deadlifts (low weight–25lbs plates)–new exercise for me; standing barbell curls, reverse curls; and 20 min. stair master level 6 & 10. Today was chest and upper back; incline barbell press (low weight), dumbell press (20 lbs dumbbells); barbell upright rows to shoulders (no weight); upright rows to chin 35#s; skull crushers 35#’s & standing calve raises (120 lbs).

Still trying my best to chuck down extra protein, but have to make a conscious effort. I will begin cutting next month–12 weeks out, which should give me adequate time to firm up and lose 2" of hips. If anyone has a favorite cutting diet, please share.

My son who just turned 8 yesterday asked me this morning, "Mommy, why do you have to be so strong?" I think I was preparing my food for the day or something. My response was, "I like looking strong and fit, it makes me feel good". He seemed to be okay with that, I guess I need to probe a little more to find out why he asked that question. 

Question of the week: Why do you want to look & be so strong?