Hello! Happy Holidays! It's getting chilly outside and I don't know about you but I LOVE this time of year! Christmas music has been playing non stop in my car since Thanksgiving (maybe even on the iPod at the gym) And yes, I have been watching my favorite movie Elf as much as possible. Santaaaa! I KNOW HIM! Haha ok, anyway, I just wanted to update everyone with what I'm up to!  

The first show of the year is 10 weeks away and I'm so excited because it's here in Phoenix! What a great way to start the year with a competition right here in my hood After talking with my trainer, our goals with this show are to come in a little softer and with less muscle density. So prepping for this show will be unlike any other; it's strictly cardio, sprints, and newly added yoga. So basically I took out training and added in yoga. Sounds nice and easy but this is actually very hard for me! Without intense training with my trainer, it is hard to get in "show mode". I've gotten so used to doing the same routine and now that it's altered, it's changed my mentality like crazy! But what's life without a little challenge right? So I am on my own for this show- no trainer in my ear! I am really testing my abilities as an athlete and a personal trainer myself for being show ready. I have to hold myself accountable and keep myself motivated everyday. Kinda scary but that's how you get stronger as an athlete and a professional, so I'm excited.

It's hard to accept that I will be ready for the show without my regular training.. I think it's because I love it so much! But I have to stay disciplined and not even look at a dumbbell for a looong time. I have a lot of muscle for a bikini competitor and it's important I don't get too muscular, which is easy for my body type and can make me look shorter than I already am (5'2). So I'm focusing on just keeping up with conditioning through cardio and sprints and getting elongated muscles through yoga.

Yoga is something I've always wanted to get in to so I made it part of my show prep. My goals with that are to elongate my muscles, and improve my flexibility and mental strength. I found a great studio near my place with some amazing instructors. If you start seeing lots of wisdom-ish quotes on my facebook page, then you know I probably just got out of yoga lol!

My diet is per usual- 6 small clean meals a day consisting of mostly veggies, complex carbs earlier in the day, and lean proteins. I have noticed that healthy fats don't work well for me so I supplement with fish oil. This weekend will be a challenge- I am visiting my home town in Seattle for Christmas! Hello temptation! My family is fully aware that I am prepping and they are super supportive so I am thankful for that  I will give myself some leeway on Christmas day but that's it! 

So that's it folks! Like I said, this show prep is NOTHING like I've ever done before and I'll be sure to keep you guys posted with how I'm doing. Thanks for reading and happy holidays!