The View from the Classroom

Last night I hit the pool for the second time…new training program in hand and I was a little surprised with myself.  Swam the 525 yards which was 25 yards more than the first go round AND did it in half the time, well almost half…22 minutes as opposed to 40 minutes the first time around.  I wasn’t able to follow the training program exactly…had to take a few more breaths than it said, but I felt like I did pretty well.  For me, right now, I think the breathing is the key.  I finished, showered and went to see how much longer hubby was gonna be.  He was finishing up his bi’s…I couldn’t resist…had to do some curls…3 sets and I felt really strong. 

And…today I HAD to go to the gym…I like the swimming, but it doesn’t feel like a REAL workout.  I know I’m not supposed to be lifting, so I didn’t…just did 45 minutes on the elliptical…5 minute warm-up, 35 minutes HIIT at progressively higher levels and a 5 minute cool down…it felt good to really sweat and my mood is much better.  In case you didn’t read my last blog, I’ve been feeling a little down. 

After that, came home and fixed what is becoming one of my favorite meals…french toast and a spinach egg white omelet. 

Here’s the recipe for the french toast in case you’re wanting something other than egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast:

2 slices Cinnamon-Raisin Ezekial Bread

2 egg whites

Cinnamon to taste

Sugar Free Davinci Vanilla Syrup to taste

1 packet of Splenda

Mix everything except the bread together in a shallow bowl with a fork until bubbly.  Soak the bread, turning to coat both sides.  Two pieces should soak up all of the mixture.  Heat a skillet, spray with cooking spray and cook the bread on both sides.  It’s good plain or with fruit or natty pb on top, but you could use sugar free syrup too.

For those of you wondering what Ezekial Bread is…it’s made from sprouted 100% whole grains which together form a high quality complete protein.  It can be found in the frozen food section and our local grocery store carries it.  If yours doesn’t, whole foods or other health food stores usually carry it.  

You would think that I would be happy to have the contest thing behind me.  In a way, I am, but in a way, I miss it.  It gave me something to do…how sad is that?  I don’t mean that I have nothing to do, but with the contest prep I was focused on something.  I HAD to workout, eat right, plan for the show, etc.  That took a great deal of time and energy.  Now that it’s done, I have all this time and must find other things to fill it.  Thus, I’m feeling a little blue.  Not really depressed, just a little empty.  Like, that’s it?  It’s over?  What now?  I get on here and I read about all of you in contest prep mode and I’m jealous.  I miss it already.  Ok…THAT really is sad, right? 

Part of me is afraid that without that "something" I’ll fall off the wagon, go back to eating junk all the time and get fat again.  A legitimate concern.  I mean, it happens, right?  Everyday you hear or see stories about people who lost weight and got in shape just to put it back on once "real life" kicked in.  I don’t want that to be me.

So, what do I do?  Find another "something".  That’s me.  I must have something to work toward.  If not, I’m not happy.  Hence the tri.  Just far enough off to give me time to heal the disk (I hope) and get to where I need to be swimming and cycling-wise, but not too far off.  It’s not like I expect to go out and win it anyway.  I just want to do it.  This is something that I’ve thought about doing for a long time.  One of those things that would be on my list of things to do before I die I guess.

Yes, having that "something" gives me something to do, something to look forward to, something to motivate me even when I’m feeling a little blue.   And, yes, something for my family to say I’m obsessing over

I took some advice and did some research on swimming yesterday.  Found a training program that I’m gonna try.  It’s called 0 to 1650 because it will take me from swimming 0 yards to 1650 yards (approx 1 mile) in 6 weeks.  I’m starting it today and the first week (3 days) looks like this:

Swim 100 yards and rest for 12 breaths…repeat for a total of 300 yards

Swim 50 yards and rest for 8 breaths…repeat for a total of 150 yards

Swim 25 yards and rest for 4 breaths…repeat for a total of 75 yards

That will be a total of 525 yards each day, which, by the way, is more than I’ll actually have to swim in the tri I’m looking at.  I thought it was an 800 meter swim…nope…only 350…I’m sure I can handle that by October!!

The bike ride is 13.8 miles and the run 3.1 miles.  I’ll start incorporating cycling and running in a few weeks provided the disk is feeling better.  And…hopefully by that time I can get back to the weights….I’m REALLY missing that…A LOT

Said I was taking off for awhile…that lasted all of 5 days I guess (counting back to last Tuesday, the last day I really worked out).  I decided that I couldn’t just sit around and do "nothing" so I went for a swim thinking that it might actually help the disk.  Now, before I continue, you must realize that I have NEVER done any competitive swimming which means swimming laps is new to me. 

I’m thinking the pool at our gym is 25 meters long.  Being the math teacher that I am, I quickly figured out that 32 lengths would be 800 meters, the distance I will have to swim in the triathlon I’m looking at in October.  How hard could that be?  I mean, I’m in good shape, right?  Yeah, right…lap 1…I’m out of breath…this is gonna be harder than I thought…much harder!!  And it was…I managed 20 lengths and it took me about 40 minutes…felt good, but lots of room for improvement.  Good thing I have a few months!  And boy am I hungry!!!

The road to my first figure competition has been a journey of ups and downs.  Daily workouts and numerous diet manipulations all done to achieve the winning physique.   With that behind me, I write my final “competition” blog to share my final thoughts on my journey, still hoping to inspire or motivate others, if not to follow in my footsteps, to at least begin a journey of their own.

Thursday afternoon, we packed up the family and made th 4.5 hour drive to Galveston, pulling into the hotel parking lot at around 7:30 in the evening.  After getting things settled in the room, the family went for a late dinner while I ate my small steak and sweet potatoes in the room, cold due to no microwave available for public use in the hotel.  I didn’t mind…alone time is rare.

Friday came after a restless night during which I awoke twice, first to find my son vomiting in the restroom and later to find my daughter with a case of diarrhea.  Could it be the Hooters’ wings they had eaten for dinner?  Of course the husband slept well…why shouldn’t he?  After all, he was on Benadryl after being stung on the lip and the neck by two hornets earlier in the day (think Will Smith in “Hitch”) AND had admitted to consuming two beers at dinner.  Maybe I shouldn’t have let him put my tan on tonight? 

We all stayed close to the hotel Friday.  The family did a little swimming.  I perfected the fit of my two posing suits while putting the last minute touches on my posing.  My husband painted me with two additional coats of tan (after I showered to even out the one he put on Thursday  night in his Benadryl/beer induced state) and I applied my make-up like a professional.  Given that this was one of my biggest concerns, I felt exceptionally good about how it looked. 

We arrived at the venue right on time though that turned out to be unnessecary seeing how many others involved were running just tad bit late.  The family dropped me off and grabbed some dinner while I waited.  During the wait, I was honored to meet on of my fellow bodyspace members, “zonemaster”, and chatted with him for a while.  I finished my preparations and waited some more.

The time came and my masters figure class was up first.  Three of us.  All nervous.  None of us knew until just before stepping on stage what it was we were to do.  T Walk?  Triangle Walk?   Quarter Turns?  They hadn’t told us.  Thank God I wasn’t first!  Amid the bright lights in front of what seemed like a huge crowd to me, we did our thing…turned out that we walked out, did our quarter turns and then got in line.  Nothing too difficult to start with.  We rushed to change while the next competitors did their things and we did it again in our two-pieces.  No awards yet…that’s tomorrow night for masters.  The other two ladies were done.  I still had my novice class to compete in.  Back into the one-piece.

There were six of us in novice (tall class).  Again, they waited until the last minute to fill us in on what exactly they expected upon walking out onto the stage.  T-walk this time.  I was lucky number 13 on Friday, the 13th, last in line.  Again, we did our thing.  Came back, changed into the two-piece and did it again.  This time, though, awards were to be given.  We waited to be called back out.  And waited.  And waited.  The chairman came over and simply said.  Everyone except Ms. Watson (that’s me) is going back out.  5 awards are given.  I was 6^th.  What?  Did I hear him correctly?  I didn’t expect THAT.  But, I did what any good competitor would do…stood by and watched my fellow competitors get their awards and congratulated them as they walked off stage.  It really hadn’t hit me yet.  I changed and got my things.  Met the family and we left.  THEY were upset.  I was simply hungry and thirsty.  And thus, I ate…first a “Go Lean” nutrition bar…then a few pringles (wanted salt)…then a scoop (only one) of Ben & Jerry’s Half-Baked ice cream in a waffle cone…and it was ohhhhhh so good.  And I drank…only water, but it was good too.

I slept extremely well and decided to forego the early morning steak, eggs and sweet potatoes opting for two hard-boiled egg whites and a larabar washed down with coffee and a bottle of water instead.  Once the family awoke and everyone was ready, it was time for a REAL breakfast…off to IHOP we went.  Man, was I hungry.  I ordered a spinach, mushroom omelet complete with pancakes.  Ate almost every bite.  Enjoyed it with two cups of coffee with cream and some more water.

Went back to the hotel and took a nap before heading off to the beach for a little barefoot frisbee throwing and just hanging out with the family.  Time for lunch…shared a grilled chicken sandwich with onion rings and chips and salsa with my daughter at “Captain Jack’s”, the poolside bar overlooking the ocean at our hotel.  Back at the hotel room, we had just enough time for me to lose my ass in a game of hearts before getting ready for the second round of competition.

Arrived for the second time to find that us masters figure girls weren’t even listed on the agenda for the nights events…had they forgotten about us?????  They managed to squeeze us in after some persistent nagging.  We went out in our two-piece, did our t-walk and accepted the awards…just as I expected…3^rd place was mine.  Both hubby and I felt I looked better tonight than on Friday…too bad prejudging was on Friday!

We didn’t stick around long enough for me to get the judges comments…we were hungry and thus, headed off for a nice seafood meal on the ocean with a stop at Baskin Robbins for dessert (Ben & Jerry’s was closed L).  But, I have emailed the chairman asking for the comments and feedback because I am truly interested in where I went wrong.  My husband and I suspect that I came in much too lean. 

Thinking about it, I suspect that had I competed two or three weeks prior I would have fared a little better.  However, I personally was not happy with my physique two or three weeks back.  I was, however, happy with it this weekend.  I was where I wanted to be.  So I’m not viewing this as a failure, but rather as a learning experience.  The judges just happened to be looking for something other than lean this weekend.  Ok.  Life goes on. 

So…what next?  A few weeks off to see if the herniated disk heals and then back at it…put on some muscle (means, I get to eat a lot, right?)…continue with plans for the triathlon in the fall…move forward on plans to get my personal trainer certification….compete again?….HMMMMMM….Friday night I would have said no way…too much of a beauty contest.  Saturday night I would have said maybe, I mean it was a good experience and I know I can do better.  Today, I say sure, why not?  

Finally….thanks to everyone of you for your support and encouraging comments.  To answer your question, “How did I do?”…my reply is “I did great!”

BTW…I did get a trophy for third place…my daughter asked what it was made of and hubby said “silicone”, LOL…we nicknamed her…Buffy McBoobs…

WOW…can’t believe I’m so close…seems like just yesterday I was reading Bahamaman’s blog for the first time, making the decision to actually "do it".  How time flies…

I’m on my second day of meals consisting of double-boiled chicken and either almonds or natty pb.  The chicken, though rather dry, isn’t THAT bad…I’m with bodyauditor…beats the sodium-free tuna.  Of course yesterday, I got to drink a whole gallon of water which made the chicken go down easier.  It’s amazing…prior to this week I struggled to make sure I got a whole gallon of water…after 3 days of 2 gallons, 1 didn’t seem like near enough…had to really pace myself.  Today, I only get 1 liter…for the WHOLE day…it will definitely be harder to get the chicken down and I’m REALLY gonna have to pace myself.

As you can see from my new avi, I got my nails done yesterday…so relaxing…I love pedicures   In fact, I didn’t really miss the gym at all…had lots of errands to run and my new laptop was delivered (a week earlier than expected) so I had a new toy to play with…cool, huh?

So…we’ll pack up the family and leave for the 4-5 hour drive to Galveston sometime this afternoon. 

My last meal of the day will be a small steak with a little bit of sweet potatoes, which will be the menu for all meals tomorrow except for meal #1…two full eggs, steak and pancakes with real syrup…sugar…yum…it’s been awhile

Lastly, I must say, I felt REALLY good yesterday and thus far today (I did sleep much better last night!)…I think the increased calories, although not carbs, yesterday must of helped with that! 

So…wish me luck…even though I FEEL ready, I’m a true believer that a little luck never hurt anyone and the more people I have sending me some love, the better

I’m usually not up this early…6:00am…in the summer at least…did not sleep well at all last night which is definitely not like me.  No workouts today…do have to go boil some chicken and I’ve never done that before.  I actually had to google "how to boil chicken", lol.  Actually, I know HOW, just didn’t know how long.  Learned it’s gonna take about 45 minutes, so I got some time before I can eat…especially since I have to boil it a second time…boy, that sounds yummy…can’t wait to taste it…at least I get to have a significant amount of sodium-free natural pb with it…that really does sound good…makes anything, I mean ANYTHING taste better!!

Well today was my last day to workout prior to my competition.  Did little (very little) bit of cardio and light back and bi workout.  Been feeling weak, but expected that. 

Actually felt somewhat better today than yesterday.  Could it be the 1/2 gallon less in water I had to drink today?  I don’t know, but I must say that yesterday I was feeling SEVERELY water-logged…I was resting between sets yesterday and had a dumbbell rested on my leg.  When I picked it up the word "BAR" was imprinted VERY CLEARLY on my leg in big block letters, just like on the dumbbell…had to laugh.  My daughter said I looked "puffy"…LOL

Also tanned for the last time today.  Think I will start applying the jantana tomorrow night.  One coat, shower Thursday morning and do another one that evening and then see if I need anymore on Friday.  Since prejudging isn’t until that evening, I should have plenty of time to worry about that.

Boy, I’m not gonna know what to do with myself not going to the gym and all…well, I do have to get my manicure and pedicure, go to the grocery store so that I can prepare my meals for the trip, keep practicing my posing, stuff like that…just won’t be the same not going to the gym.  I’m sure my body will appreciate it very much though!

4 days from show time and I’m hungry, VERY, VERY hungry

Other than that, I feel surprisingly well except that I’m so freakin’ thirsty which REALLY surprises me.  Why?  Cause I’m drinking 2 gallons of water for the third day in a row.  I’ve already had more than 1 gallon today and my mouth feels like I just woke up from a drinking binge.  I even woke up having to pee in the middle of the night last night (shocker) and was thirsty.  What gives?  Anybody have any insight into why I would be this thirsty when I’m obviously drinking ENOUGH water?

So…after my cardio this morning (easy 30 minutes on the elliptical), I go to Starbucks for my grande black coffee and there’s one person in front of me…they couldn’t figure out how to ring something up and I had to wait like 10 minutes…I felt like saying, OMG, could you not just add it up and charge her and figure it out later…I mean, customers (other than me) ARE waiting!!!  But, I didn’t…I held my tongue.  So, what did they do…gave it to her for free and said they’d figure it out later.  Oh well…it’s not THEIR money, right?

Then…I get home after my trip to Whole Foods (where I couldn’t find any sodium-free tuna, ugh!) and tanning…an hour and a half since I last ate…I’m starving…too early to eat again…I notice I got a freakin’ sh*t load of laundry to do…does it EVER end???????  So, I feel myself within an inch of snapping at the kids about it when I realize it and just tell them that I’m fixin’ to wash towels in case they have any dirty ones in their rooms.  Son brings in a pile of them…so many that I think I might have to do two loads…he shoves them in the washer…makes them all fit and that’s that.

Next…I’m sitting here typing this blog, almost done and I lose my connection.  WTF!?  Nobody’s around, so can’t really b*tch…just type it again…good thing hubby’s at work AND that he keeps sending me really nice, sweet, encouraging messages…he WAS warned after all…

So…yes, I feel a bit "edgy" 4 days out and the b*tch could come out at any given moment, but for now she’s in check.

Did I mention I was REALLY hungry?

This was emailed to me and it really did make me smile…some of it really hit home with me and I just thought I would share it.  So much truth in all of it.  I hope you enjoy  

TIME GETS BETTER WITH AGE

Read it through to the end, it gets better as you go!

I’ve learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sings "Silent Night". Age 5

I’ve learned that our dog doesn’t want to eat my broccoli either.  Age 7

I’ve learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back. Age 9

I’ve learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again. Age 12

I’ve learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up. Age 14

I’ve learned that although it’s hard to admit it, I’m secretly glad my parents are strict with me. Age 15

I’ve learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice. Age 24

I’ve learned that brushing my child’s hair is one of life’s great pleasures. Age 26

I’ve learned that wherever I go, the world’s worst drivers have followed me there. Age 29

I’ve learned that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it. Age 30

I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don’t know how to show it. Age 42

I’ve learned that you can make some one’s day by simply sending them a little note. Age 44

I’ve learned that the greater a person’s sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others. Age 46

I’ve learned that children and grandparents are natural allies. Age 47

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. Age 48

I’ve learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours. Age 49

I’ve learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone. Age 50

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. Age 51

I’ve learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills. Age 52

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die. Age 53

I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. Age 58

I’ve learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage. Age 61

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. Age 64

I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. Age 65

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision. Age 66

I’ve learned that everyone can use a prayer. Age 72

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. Age 82

I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. Age 90

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. Age 92

I’ve learned that you should pass this one on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.