rdf803’s BodyBlog

Well, I took updated progress pics yesterday and received a harsh dose of reality.  I am nowhere near where I need to be, but I do still have 14 weeks to get there.  It appears that along with fat loss, my back needs the most work.  I think I will start working it twice a week so I can make some quicker progress.  I’m also upping my cardio sessions to five times a week; I just don’t think three is going to cut it.

So here is what I ate yesterday:

Meal 1:  Protein shake and oatmeal
Meal 2:  SF Jello
Meal 3:  Teacher’s luncheon; had a little bologna (didn’t know what it was or it certainly wouldn’t have made it onto my plate) and a few bite-size pieces of sausage
Meal 4:  SF Jello
Meal 5:  Protein Shake
Meal 6:  Chicken Casserole (my husband concocted it; super yummy and low-fat!)

So other than the teacher’s lunch fiasco, I did pretty well with my eating yesterday, and luckily I took my update photos BEFORE my workout, because it was back day, and after seeing those pics, I worked my back out like never before.  Yet, somehow I am still not sore today.  What’s up with that?  They feel tight, but I want the soreness! 

Okay, so I’m going to try to start posting daily as I get ready for my contest over the next 14 weeks.  It’ll be a good way to hold myself accountable, and I will probably push myself harder if I know everyone is going to see what I’m doing. 

Last time I had my BF measured, it was 22%.  That was mid-March, and I don’t think I have cut but maybe a percent or two since then because I didn’t yet have a competition date set.  Now that I do, the pressure is on to cut that fat fast! 

I’m currently eating about 1200 cals a day, 130 g. protein, 170 carbs, and trying to stick to about 12-15 g. fat per day.  I think I am going to start rotating high carb and low carb days, but I’m not sure of the best way to do that, and if I should have some no carb days, too.  I guess I will try it and see how my body responds.

I am going to start tanning again today; I hate going for some reason, but I always feel great afterwards.  Plus I gotta start building some base color so I don’t turn orange when I put on the contest color!

Well, don’t know much else for now; been reading a lot of BodyBlogs today, so I’m super motivated and ready to hit the gym this afternoon!

Doing MUCH better today; I decided on my first figure competition yesterday, so now the training begins.  I have 14 1/2 weeks ’til the big day, and I am already nervous!  I am doing a Fitness America competition in New Orleans.  I read that they prefer a slightly softer look (more than NPC), so that will be great because I don’t know if I can get really hard by then.  And since I am a teacher, I will have the summer off to completely focus on training for it. 

I am looking into getting a part-time job at a gym so I can be in the right environment and have positive influences around me (in addition to my husband, who is VERY supportive and encouraging).  I will also be studying for my personal training exam, so I will have plenty to keep me busy.  Just hope I can continue eating right when the cravings hit (I already fell off the wagon once today, but hopped right back on again…). 

The only thing that I am completely clueless about is posing, but I’m hoping that if I get a posing coach about six weeks out, that will be plenty of time (if not, please let me know!).  Anyway, I am REALLY excited to have a goal to work towards and am eager to start reaching my goals! 

My high school reunion is in August, also, so I will be in amazing shape and hopefully make everyone jealous!  I was a bit of a wallflower back then and can’t wait for everyone to see the new me!

 If anyone has any contest prep advice, please let me know.  I’m totally new to all of this.

So I’m super discouraged today–not seeing results quickly enough so yesterday I had some junk food; my husband found out today so he’s disappointed in me, which just makes me want to eat more junk.  Thing is, I’m bored with eating the same stuff (chicken salad and oatmeal, among other things) EVERY SINGLE DAY, and I haven’t had enough time to look for other things to eat and do the cardio I need to do to lose this fat.  The school year is over in three weeks, so I will have the entire summer to dedicate to working out and eating right and developing a solid routine and good habits, but I just have to survive ’til then without sabotaging all the progress I’ve made so far.  I’ve been doing this for about sixty days now, and have lost a pant size (I’m down to sixes and a few fours now), but I should’ve lost a lost more by now and am still not seeing muscle definition that I need to see to stay motivated.  Being around a bunch of fat, lazy teachers doesn’t help, either…they insist on bringing all sorts of junk food to school to make sure they aren’t the only ones who are overweight (misery loves company!).  Anyway, I know I’m the only one responsible for my motivation and my appearance, but all this stuff certainly isn’t helping!