Summer 08 Contest Prep

please check out my updated progress pics and make any comments…

i’ve cut 20g of carbs out, added some glucosamine for the beating i’m putting on my knees.  i’m doing 4 sessions of hill sprints a week and 4 low-intensity cardio session (bike rides and runs outdoors mostly).  i do abs on even days and will work on posing on odd days.  i’m very happy with my progress.  a little nervous about the holiday weekend coming up, gotta stay on track.  might run a 5K on saturday?  don’t even know if i can do it, but figure the pressure of a race environment will push me through.  we’ll find out.

had an awesome weekend, a little sunburnt from yesterday’s tides game, but it’s all good.

met with mar yesterday, forgot to have her take photos of me in my suits so will have to do ghetto gym pics sometime this week.  we adjusted my front pose a tiny bit and my legs are looking massive!  she recommended i add some treadmill incline sprints to tighten up my inner thighs - so i start those tomorrow (today was leg day, treadmill nothing was about to happen).  she thinks my posing is dead on, i already have the 2-piece round on lock, and in 5 weeks i should have no problem nailing the 1-piece as well.  it’s good to hear the news from someone who knows what they are talking about.  this week i’ll add the sprints in addition to my long low intensity cardio, next week i’m cutting my carbs about 20%.  i’m in pain today, i really really killed it on legs this morning.  was going to ride my bike tonight, but that may be a little difficult, maybe just an easy jog with shadow.  he’s really the best running partner ever.  and i really need to work on building my running endurance…yuck.

OK i just got out of the shower (minds out of the gutters please) and noticed my body right now is the condition it was in for Yorton last year (see my current profile photo!) and i weigh about 7 pounds more and still have almost 6 weeks to dial it in.  this has been my most slamming prep ever.  i was trying to add more cardio this week, but i’ve been having trouble finding time/energy to do it, thanks to my plant shutdown this week.  i’m meeting with mary bell for some photos/posing/honest advice on sunday before i mail in all my registrations.  feeling and looking great.  bring it on bitches.  look for progress pic updates after my meeting with mar!!!

OK boys stop reading right now.

I looked so crappy this weekend - and then got my period on Tuesday.  Phew.  SO I still look like crap but at least I know why.  Between that and still using creatine, I look pretty bloaty most of the time.  I am cycling to a very low carb week and next week will bring my carbs back up to 10% less than they were before.  I’ve added cardio - 3 sessions this week, 4 next, building up to 6/week through all of July and August.

 I was very shocked to get my period.  In the past I’ve stopped getting it at this point out, but again since I’m doing this whole slow healthier cut, everything is a little different.  I’m hesitant to do 6-week-out pics next Monday, I may wait until 5 weeks out when I meet with my posing coach and have her do it.  We shall see.

 Training is ROUGH this week on the all broccoli approach (well, it’s not THAT bad) but my strength and intensity are staying high.  I’m actually enjoying all the cardio I’m doing, it’s getting me outside and there’s variety.  Certainly beats logging hours on the treadmill….

OK so confidence is back.  Time to start getting my act together.  No more late nights in smokey bars.  I wasn’t drinking but I think just being there was hurting me.  Sleep is so crucial!  And my diet is super.  Next cheat is planned for June 21 at a wedding, I’m getting broiled salmon and eating the veggies and leaving the carbs on the plate.  Will prob splurge on a piece of cake   I’m feeling good going into the last few weeks and luckily have a lot of short weeks at work and the job has been seriously low stress lately, which certainly helps.  My last two contest preps were with too much stress at work and a stressful relationship.  I’m much better off this summer.  Back to work

yesterday at the pool i saw some gorgeous lean muscular girl…and looked down at my pasty uncut body…and thought maybe i should quit right now and just focus on triathalon.  seriously, bodybuilding is such a crappy sport sometimes.  i go from feeling right on target to hating my body.  this weekend had some diet slip-ups with traveling.  i’ve learned my lesson and will have a better plan in 2 weeks when i go home again.  i’m stepping/switching things up a bit this week.  this coming saturday will be 6 weeks from the Potomac Cup…full swing baby.

Adding:  Cardio Tues, Wed, Sat, maybe Sun (lower intensity, maybe a tennis match or easy bike ride)

Subtracting:  Carbs except for pre-and post-workout

Looking to switch up my lifting split next week…any ideas?

Workouts and diet staying the same.  Adding a tiny bit of cardio in, enjoyable rides on my new road bike.  I bought her yesterday and LOVE her.

Took photos this morning (see progress pics!) and I’m happy with how I’m leaning out and staying huge at the same time.  Never looked this good 8 weeks out.  I’m getting very excited to compete.  I’m also getting excited to get offseason and try some new sports out for a bit…MMA, triathalon, powerlifting…who knows.