jcorbett’s BodyBlog

My family & I are going to Spain next week. Any recommendations for restaurants or things to do that are not in the travel guides? Not going to rack my brain for clean eats, will have to go with the flow. Not sure if I’ll get any training in, but plan to have some fun, dip my foot in the Mediterranean, eat a little paella, and drink a few glasses of wine.

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.

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.

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………

A colleague suggested to me that bodybuilders and those who have adopted the bodybuilder fitness lifestyle should be given the same respect that professors or so called intellectuals of our society receive. Clearly if bodyguilding was easy a majority of the people in the world would have muscular physiques. Dennis B. Weis writes about the myth of "bodybuilders being all brawn and no brains". He suggests that folks who make this claim feel intimidated and somewhat insecure. Achieving a chiseled physique requires a gread deal of dedication, discipline and aptitude. High achieving figure, fitness, and bodybuilidng athletes use a scientific approach to training, nutrition, and supplementation that should not be labeled as narcissistic. You have to have some level of intelligence in order to achieve the desired physique.

Recently a couple of friends ask me to show my arms, which made me feel self-conscious and I began to wonder, do these people respect me or think that I am some kind of frieak. Bodybuilding and contest preparation is a complex phenomenon that requires skill and intelligence. It is my opion that the field and bodybuilders should be given much respect.

I am pleased with my overall progress, but most of us who are not Greek gods or goddess have areas that just won’t budge. For me it’s the delts. I want rounded shoulders, and have achieved a bit of progress in the deltoid region, but they just don’t seem to want to raise up. These next few months as I prepare for the next figure competition, I am going to have to hammer the front and rear delts until I achieve the desired results. Genetically, I may be at a disadvantage, but let’s just call it another of one of the transformation challenges. 

It’s funny that I finally understand why those who seem to have "perfect bodies", critique themselves; it’s because you can always build a better you. I am looking forward to the up and coming months as I diet. I can’t wait to see the changes,,,,

Send me your delt tips…you know I train hard:)

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:)