The View from the Classroom

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?

6 Days Out…

Fixin’ (yes, that’s a real word meaning I’m about to) to go knock out my easy cheesy 30 minutes of steady state cardio on the elliptical.  After that, eat…don’t get carbs until the last two meals of the day AND my protein and fat are reduced today so I will be hungry.  Gotta stay occupied so that the hunger doesn’t get to me.  Oh yeah, I will be occupied, drinking all that water and peeing it out…course I’m about 1 quart into it already so I think I’m off to a good start.

Going to a bb show today…I had thought about doing this one…changed my mind thinking the extra week of prep would be could…kind of wish I hadn’t changed my mind…I’m so stoked about my show…can’t wait…I’m over all the anxiety, worrying, nervous stuff since the suits came.  I mean, I still have concerns, but I’m ready for it to be here and ready to have fun.

Anyway, hubby’s going with me and it will be his first show.  It will be good for him to see the figure girls and how they pose so he can critique me.

Later…

One week away…hard to believe it’s almost here.  Best part is I just finished my last bout of hour long cardio…for the next four days, all I have to do is 30 minutes steady state…sounds like a walk in the park…

Gotta enjoy my 100g of carbs today…that will be tapering off over the next four days, but the hardest part will be that calories, protein and fat are all decreasing as well…at least until Wednesday.  Can’t wait for Wednesday…

Last thing…starting tomorrow, two gallons of water a day…my daughter and I figured out that I basically have to drink a quart every hour and a half.  With all that water, I may not have time to get hungry so that may be a good thing.

I am so excited.  Got the suits a day earlier than I thought and my worries are over.  I’m in love with them.  I think they even make my backside look halfway decent, lol…gotta love that.

Let me know what you think.  Course I gotta figure out how to tie the darn things.  Anybody help with that?

8 days out…

I think I’m gonna be ok.

I’m supposed to get my suits tomorrow and that’s really the only thing worrying me right now.  Just hope they fit well and the colors look ok.

Got next week’s diet and training plan from my trainer.  I wouldn’t say I’m "worried" about it…I mean, I can do ANYTHING knowing it’s only for a very short time period and knowing what the goal is.  BUT…I don’t think it’s gonna be easy.  I mean, the training, especially the cardio, tapers down to nothing after Tuesday.  Gotta love that!!  And THAT will definitely be easy.  The diet, though, is another story.

After tomorrow, the carbs and calories go way down and the water way up until Wednesday.  Then the calories go back up, but all from increases in protein and fat and the water tapers off.  AND…the only protein I get will be sodium free tuna and double-boiled chicken.  That sounds YUMMY, huh?  Don’t get to add back carbs until Friday.  I don’t think I want to be in the car with me for the 5 hour drive to Galveston on Thursday.

I told hubby that no matter what I do or say next week to remember I love him.  AND…if I get too b****y to put me in time out for awhile…away from everyone.  He really has been great through all this, but I gotta say up until now it hasn’t been too hard.  A rollercoaster ride for sure, but not too hard.  Next week…watch out.

I’ll be ok so pray for HIS survival.

10 days out and my trainer says to forget about the numbers. 

I’m gonna try, but it’s a hard thing for me to do.  I mean, I AM a numbers person, former CPA, current Math teacher, it’s who I am, a numbers person for pete’s sake!!  Numbers DON’T lie.  I rely on them.  I count on them to tell me the truth.  I’m obsessed with them!!!

You see, I was complaining to her…why aren’t the numbers changing?  They’re basically the same and I’m working my tail off!  When I look in the mirror, I look harder!!!  I feel harder!!!!  Why aren’t the numbers changing????????  So she says don’t look at them anymore.  We don’t need them.

I know she’s right.  I am too obsessed with the numbers and I DO need to forget about them.  So, for the next 10 days, no stepping on the scale and no using the Omron.  Cold turkey.  Just like that.  I feel a withdrawl coming on.  I may need chocolate!!!!