mandms’s BodyBlog

I’m so excited.  I just listened to my final mix and it sounds AWESOME!  It’s better than I had hoped for.  Let’s just hope the judges like it too.  My biggest fear now is having the choreography not live up to the music.  There’s nothing worse than seeing something slapped together at the last minute.  What a mess.  I better get my cardio up so I can finish the routine without fainting.  I’m off to train.

Lucky 13?!  I dunno, but today is the first day that I actually feel GREAT.  My energy is good, my hunger level is under control and I feel like I’m finally free of the sugar cravings, simple carbs, junk, etc.  I went to lunch with my husband; I got a chicken salad, which I only ate half.  He got a cheesesteak (yummy) that came with homemade tortilla chips and salsa, and then we stopped at Marble Slob (Slab) to get him ice cream for dessert.  Seriously, I didn’t flinch.  The thought of eating any of that stuff just made me cringe.  The usually beckoning to sabatoge just wasn’t there.  I’m actually going to go to open gym tonight to do some tumbling.  It’ll be the first time not riding some insulin roller coaster.  I hope writing this won’t jinx me, but I really feel my cheats are long behind me! 

I almost made the biggest mistake with my fitness music. The company I hired was recommended by a certain fitness professional.  However, my experience was less than satisfactory.  The editor didn’t use the songs I originally requested and by doing so, changed the entire theme of my routine.  It would’ve been a nightmare to choreograph.  When I told him about the problems, he tried to charge me revision costs.  I couldn’t believe he wanted me to pay him for work he never did in the first place!  It took months to straigten out, put me behind my schedule and I was still not pleased with the finished product. 

I needed to find someone who could work quickly, understood my vision and truly wanted to please the customer.  To make a long story short, I found the best editor.  Her name is Jill and she works with you hand in hand until you are satisfied with the outcome.  If you need competition music of any sort, I highly recommend her.  She is a dance instructor, choreographer, music editor and understands how a routine is put together.  In addition, her rates are VERY reasonable.  It’s hard to believe I paid this other person so much considering what he didn’t give me.  So check out her web site…http://www.spliceitup.net/  If you give her a call, her name is Jill and she’s so nice.  I don’t know what I would’ve done without her.

I learned a lot by competing and met a lot of nice people through the whole process.  Of coruse, I still want to improve for next season.  My first thought is dieting.  I’ve continued to weight train consistently, but how can I add more muscle without gaining too much excess weight or fat?  I’m still eating clean but how many more calories can I consume?  I’ve decreased my cardio from 2xday to only one morning jog for 30-45 minutes.

If you’ve got any suggestions, please throw them at me.  I’m all ears.  Thanks!

Well, I can’t believe it’s almost here.  I’m one week out before my second show, first NPC event.  What am I doing…what should I expect?  Does anyone have any last minute tips that would really help me tweak my diet and help me come in as tight as possible?

When I started training, I thought I’d do a FAP show because it seemed friendly to first time competitors.  I’m the first to admit, my physique wasn’t perfect but it was the best for me leading up to now.  Since that show, it’s been another four weeks and I’ve stayed pretty committed to dieting and training.  My weight is about the same…95 lbs dry…98-99 lbs at the end of the day.  But I feel stronger and a little leaner.  I just don’t want to do anything stupid this last week to cause me to be bloated, retain water or be too fatigued to get through the long day.  (I’m doing both figure and fitness so that’s 2 prelims and 2 finals).  

If you’re reading this, thanks for letting me ramble.  I’m sure my posts will increase as the day draws nearer…it’s good therapy.  
Please feel free to share anything with me.  I’d really appreciate hearing some practical advice to get me through!