Julie’s BodyBlog

My apologies for neglecting you, Mr. Blog. Life has sort of taken over and I’ve yet again gone off in another direction.

I didn’t end up competing in my November 7th contest. *gasp* Why, you ask? My body wasn’t taking well to the once again chronic restriction. I felt off, my face was breaking out, and I started losing weight too fast. I decided (well, Toby from NutriShop proposed the idea) that I should skip the November show, let me body repair, and then throw it for another loop this Spring. Part of me still thinks I could have done it. Looking back on how I felt, and how I feel now, I think it was the best decision.

As for my career adventure, I’m on my way. I’ve logged in good hours working as a volunteer and I look forward to every time I do it. The staff includes some of the best people I’ve come across in my 21 years (22 years in January…) of constant exploration around this planet. Okay, so maybe just Chico and part of the Western states…but you get what I mean.

My training varies from day to day. Some days I life heavy and some days I’m all about HITT, low weight, high rep, make-you-wanna-puke workouts. I started training at Alpha Co. Fitness and I love it out there. The people are some of the best people to train alongside with. My body is changing yet again from it.
Sorry for the short notice, but I gotta go! Will finish later…

Being on stage (in that state of appearance, should I say) was probably the most daring and one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done. I’m looking forward to doing it again very soon.
Staying lean hasn’t been difficult after contest. I’ve incorporated a lot of track work into my training. There’s been several days where that’s all I do. Sprints, agilities, etc. Kept going with burn out sets on some days, heavy lifting days on another. One of my "fitness idols" is Pauline Nordin. Just go to fighterdiet.com/blog/ and you’ll be able to read up on her. Her ideals, concepts, and ways of eating have motivated me to stay lean in the off season. Love your veggies, lean meats, good fats, complex carbs…and it shouldn’t be a problem. My sugar comes from fruit and post workout only. It’s like a reward at the end.
I definitely started to lose my mind around 6 weeks out. Diet is definitely 80% of this sport…if not more. You quickly find out what your body needs and doesn’t need.
On the relationship front, I even gained, and lost, a boyfriend through it all. Apparently, I was "too much" for him and "too motivated." I know me going into Law Enforcement had something to do with it, too. Doing what I want to do, and whats most important for the greater good, matters to me the most.
I’ve been volunteering for my local Police Department and having a blast with it so far. My uniform is finally put together. Everything is so new to me and I can’t get enough of it. I’m going to be doing what’s always appealed to me. Believing I can do it has made it a reality.
Anyways, I’ll be back to record my progress through my diet. I think I’ll start it around the beginning of August to give me 12 weeks.

Talk soooooon…

I’m dehydrated, hungry, and covered in Pro Tan. Yes, Im sitting here butt naked on my chair (on top of an old sheet). I just thought I’d write that in a blog for memories.

Check in is 11:30…figure Ill get there around 10:30. Here we go….

That’s right…one week out. Hard to believe it’s been a year that I made the decision to compete in Figure and now it’s actually a reality…even if it is a local show!

Seriously living off asparagus, tilapia, protein shakes, supplements, vitamins, olive oil, flax meal, EFA capsules (up to 14/day), yams, and oatmeal right now. That’s it. I have hardly any energy. I couldn’t dead lift 300lbs right now even if I wanted to.

Deplete week next week. 3 balanced days (starting tomorrow…) followed by a low day, protein only day (life will suck. good thing I have the day off), and a fat loading day. Saturday (SHOWTIME) is back to a balanced day. I can’t wait for those fajitas at Tres Hombres Saturday night! And Jon n Bons’s NSA froyo… I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.

I’m so depleted right now though. I can’t think straight and it takes me a minute to find the right words sometimes. It’s even more frustrating when people forget what you’re doing and ask you what’s wrong. AGRH. There’s days when I’m a complete, well, ya know. Not gonna lie. I make up for it by reminding them about the contest and the, "Oh yeah…" expression appears as they look me over. However, when I see the progress I’m making, do another weigh in, look at progress pics, feel how old clothes sort of fall off me…I become a happy camper. My BF is in the single digits.
Things I need to do this week:

Pedicure/Acrylic nails/makeup/hair - highlights

Waxing - bikini/eyebrows/uncomfortable area

Tanning product

Posing practice in the AM at 9 at IMF tomorrow. Need to get up early for a run. No more HIIT intervals. I couldnt do them if I wanted to right now. I gassed out last night and had to go half speed on them. My mouth even had a metallic taste to it. Slighty overtrained…

Running outside this morning for once was so refreshing…

I also weighed in yesterday at 135…and that’s before water deplete.

:-)

Well.. the time has come that I can definitely say I’m feeling it. No more heavy lifting. It’s all cardio and some good, natural, body weight training from here along with my Russian Cannonballs known as kettle bells.

I’m doing double days now. 30 min AM (prebreakfast)/PM with 30 sec sprint intervals every 5 minutes. Let me tell you that was one of the hardest transitions to make while on my diet. Waking up, already feeling the previous night’s intervals, and then having to go do them in the morning, first thing. I basically took out all of my leg work outs since those intervals ARE a leg work out. My legs arent going to change too much in the next few weeks anyways if I throw in squats, deads, and lunges. I flat out just dont have the energy with how depleted I am right now. I have plenty of muscle in my legs that I worked hard for in my offseason and my butt is right where it needs to be when I’m wearing my suit

Some changes in my body I’ve noticed…I have little veins popping out in my biceps and in my abs. My body looks more and more cut each week, especially after a cardio session. I am very depleted though, that’s for sure. Increased my EFA capsules from 4 to 10/day to maintain sanity. I was losing it there for awhile…but I feel much more alert now that I have the extra brain power. I had to take out my 2 tsp olive oil in the evening to do that though The trade-off is worth it.

I weighed in at 142 yesterday and 141 this morning. EFA increase, maybe? Not sure what that’s all about or if the scale is getting irritated with my constant weigh ins and decided to play games with me. Whatever the number, my goal weight is 140 and 10% BF. I’m getting calipered on Monday. I hope it’s close to 10%. 3 weeks out from the contest, I feel very much on track.
Did I mention I’m officially accpeted as a VIP with Chico PD now? I’m so excited for that. I felt pretty acomplished when I got my letter in the mail today. I’m so excited for this summer. Seriously. I know I want to get into law enforcement and with how much exposure this will give me is what I’m most looking forward to. That and being around some seriously awesome, down to earth individuals. My Criminology teacher (worked for LAPD for 25+ years…talk about some stories) told me to keep in touch and that if I ever need anything as I continue along this "career path", his door is always open. Not to get all mushy, but IM GOING TO MISS HIM. Agrh.

So…just ate my egg whites, spinach, and asparagus with 1 tsp olive oil. I feel so weird typing that out. I eat it everyday. Gone are the "cheat meals" though! I had my last cheat meal 6 weeks out. Fajitas with corn tortiallas. Rice, beans, chips, salsa, and GUACAMOLE. The whole shebang. YUM. It was in Florida at the Tri Fitness Camp. And these fajitas had steak, chicken, and shrimp. Seriously, some of the best fajitas Ive ever had. Robin was there with me and she’s my coach. She TOLD ME to order it… lol. My mouth is starting to water.

The night after the contest, all of us girls who are competing in it from IMF are going to Tres Hombres. I just want fajitas.. lol. That and a Top Shelf Margarita that one of the women I train with from KOR exposed me to. Then I want frozen yogurt from Jon n Bons. Yes…

Ok enough food talk. Im going to go sip on some iced tea, probably doze off on the couch, and hit the gym again around 7. For some reason, writing in this made my mood so much better. I was getting pretty irritable after doing my cardio this morning. See you all soon

4 weeks out from my first Figure Comp as of Saturday. 4 WEEKS. Can you believe it? I started taking my training seriously a little over a year ago and have never looked back. It’s set a solid foundation for where I need to be headed.

I decided I’m going into Law Enforcement several months ago. I can’t explain why, but I feel like I have a place in it. The communication aspect appeals to me. I can’t see myself sitting at a desk all day. I went through a 15 week certification class (Citizen’s Academy) to work as a VIP (Volunteer in Police Service). This will give me a huge insight and much-needed exposure. I’m itching to start…

I remember this one moment when I was walking on an incline in the gym on the treadmill. I thought I was pretty hardcore…listening to Rihanna (yes, Rihanna at the time, get over it) as my poor little quads burned. Little did I know what I was going to get myself into…

It wasnt until I went to my little brother’s bodybuilding show that I started to wonder about fitness. Who were these "Figure" women on stage and what the hell were they doing in those tiny suits? Were those bathing suits or just barely legal clothing? I thought who in their right mind would want to wear something that small and revealing. Then I noticed the muscle and their physiques. I started to wonder and then before I knew it, it was time for the bodybuilders to come out.

A good friend gave me the idea to get involved in Figure. I decided why not, how bad can it be? Ive never had a problem putting muscle on. I went and talked to Toby from Nutrishop here in Chico. He told me I should and that I needed to go see a trainer by the name of KC Reiter. For a minute I thought it was a sales pitch. I didnt know Toby all that well. I (again) thought ‘why not’ and off I went.

From the moment I met KC, he was intense but friendly. He probably didnt want to scare me off just yet. The first session was weird. I was swinging this ridiculous cannon ball around and doing weight movements I never thought were humanly possible. The women around me were awesome though. Being how stubborn I am, I decided to stay and keep at it. I couldnt just let it go.

The first few months sucked and they sucked ass. He started yelling at me and called me "passive". That, right there, set me off. Finally, one day during a wonderful session of snatches, I felt like they finally clicked. My body was moving in motion to the kettle bell and I kept going faster and faster until I thought my arm was going to rip out. I dont remember the number I did and I dont care. All I care about it that my arm was on fire and KC couldnt stop giving me the much waited for recognition.

Since then, Ive excelled in dead lift, pull ups, climbing a rope, kettle bells, free weights (I really hate that name, by the way…sounds too mainstream). It’s become my life and the first thing I think about when I wake up. I train for me and what I want to get out of my body. I love pushing myself, taxing my body, and reaching new heights. The people I’ve met along the way are priceless.

I remember after starting my training with kettle bells that I researched like I a mad woman. I printed everything out there possibly was to know about dieting, training, etc. I started hitting the gym 6 days a week and throwing around anything heavy. Instead of sets of 12-15 or 8-10, I started doing sets of 4-6 and no more than 10 for legs. I was on a mission and had muscle to put on my skinny fat, "french fry-like" body!

I got started on my supplements. Glutamine, BCAAs, L Glycine, and how to time everything. I started eating egg whites at night. I began breaking my body down. I was running 25-30 miles a week, preferably in the mornings, and then lifting in the evenings. I’d do sprints at KOR with KC (who taught me to sprint barefoot to get me to quit using my heels). I lived for it. I couldnt understand why others didnt understand what I was doing. I didnt understand why they were satisfied with a routine and their same physique from year to year. I think no matter how you look at it, being "fit" requires a mental maturing process and is a never ending journey.
Since last year, I’ve competed in power lifting and a Strong Man competition. I’ve ran in several 5K races and won my age group in three. I took off to Florida, did an obstacle course, met some amazing women, and had a blast. I think the PEOPLE I’ve met along the way and the exposure I’ve gained has been what I value the most. My diet has fluctuated and I’ve finally come to the conclusion that frequent small feedings throughout the day works best. No "Warrior Diet" because Ori Hoffmekler can go, well, you know what I mean.

I eventually want to get into fitness modeling. It would be a great way for me to make extra money and just because I can

I will post pics of contest. Till next time…

Did my dead lift comp. Pulled 303…COULDNT LOCK IT OUT. Agrh. Frustrating. Still qualified for Worlds in Reno! Thats in November. Only one in my age group!

Competed in a Strong Man at the Body Shop here in Chico. There was a women’s division. Tore me up and Im all banged up from it. Dont have time to say much…will give details later. Overall, awesome time, threw around some serious weight, and tried to beat myself.
Now Im focused on my Figure comp in June. Im going to HATE losing strength. I want to do this for the experience though. I have plenty of muscle (lean mass =130, BF= 17, Weight=155). 10 weeks out as of Saturday…diets been interesting so far.

Finally seeing some serious progress over the past couple of weeks…

Getting excited for my first dead lift meet this Saturday. A little nervous…not sure how much weight Ill be able to pull… c’ mon 300! Wish me luck

I can’t believe its almost been a full year that I’ve been training like this. June marks the month I started kettle bells and learned how to dead lift. Now Im COMPETING on the 21st of this month and COMPETING in a local Strong Man. There’s a Women’s division this year…

Might be counter prouctive…but Im relying on my natural, God-given strength to allow me to place well in my strength competitions. I started my Figure Contest prep diet today. Well, "officially" I guess you could say. Consuming around 1600 calories…feeling pretty good so far. Im good dealing with hunger after being on the Warrior Diet…not too challenging just yet…
This time last year, my only source of cardio was the elliptical. I had never in my imagination thought I could run for miles and rely on that as my main source of athletic endurance. Running should be on the training agenda of anyone who is after an athletic physique. Period. That, a jump rope, good set of stairs, and sprint intervals. Bring on the lactic acid…
I remember only being able to shoulder press 25 lb weights. Somehow, Ive managed to shoulder press a 44 lb kettle bell in a ballistic fashion. Maybe I could crank out a few on the 53…maybe

My bench still sucks. Barely can do 135. I ripped something in my chest from doing dips… backed off chest exercises. It’s been better lately.
To think I can climb a rope, do pull ups, and dead lift almost 300 pounds is still weird to me sometimes. I love training because it is what it is. I don’t like being the center of attention and I hate large crowds of people. I make sure I stay humble and accept whatever criticism comes from those I know, that they know, what they’re talking about. I love learning new techniques and ways to make myself a better athlete.

I really had no clue what I was embarking on when I first started my crazy running schedule last spring. It was after the Bodybuilding/Figure Comp and I realized that no amount of elliptical training and machine weight training would get me to where I needed to be. I needed to return to my old ways of High School lifting and training. I knew what that meant but didnt think it would take me beyond the boundaries of what I knew.

I owe a lot of credit to the people Ive trained with out at KOR. KC has taught me a good amount of what I know. Theres so much Ive learned from others in the gym and on my own reading and researching of how to eat, train, and diet.

Ive been through so much trail and error with my diet that its easy to let it get to me. Part of me thinks that if Id only stuck with "what works", and not listened to certain individuals, I’d be in an even better athletic shape. However, I am content at where I am and have learned to never obsess (too much). By far, the worst way of eating was through the "Warrior Diet". Starving myself during the day was never good. Eating 3 meals in one sitting was never good, either. I couldnt wake up in the morning to run, my mood was off, and I felt lethargic and irritable. My metabolism sucked and my menstrual cycle was even shot.

Going into my diet is a pre-wake up call as to what is coming up. I cant wait to show off my muscle and go into my machine mode that I somehow always manage to pull off. I’ve had to make so many sacrifices in the past year that its difficult to remember them all. Ive lost friends…but gained them as well. Losing five negative influences is worth gaining one positive one. Ive made new bonds, created memories, and learned habits about people that will follow me wherever I go.
This journey has been more valuable to me than any dating experience could have been. Not having that emotional attachment has made things so much easier. Sure, Ive dated a couple guys from the gym…but none lasted and Im glad they didnt. Being on my own, with just me to worry about, has allowed me to be there for others and support friends (when I have a chance!) in their own personal battles. Thats more rewarding to me than seeing the same person over and over…

So there you have it. I am about to embark on contests I have trained and anticipated for so very long. Wish me luck and I will be sure to update this thing as they happen.