Wendy’s BodyBlog

Yesterday I listened to a teleseminar by Cathy Savage’s nutritionist and trainer Jodi. It was about prepping for shows with disorders such as Celiac, PCOS, depression, etc.  I’ve had some type of depression since I was 16 years old. It runs in my family, and when I’m not on meds, it’s very ugly. Tearful, tired all the time, insomnia, uninterested in pretty much everything. So as I said, I’ve been taking meds, and it’s never occurred to me that the meds can stop me from losing weight. As a side effect of the medication. Last night I learned this. It actually makes sense. Before I was ever even on meds, I weighed much less, about 10 pounds less than I do now. I did not eat clean. I ate Lean Cuisines for lunch and crackers with cheese and deli meat for dinner. I didn’t even have to think about losing weight… I was just at that weight. I worked out…I walked to work and took dance classes, but there has never been a time in my life when I haven’t worked out to some degree.

Of course, I am sure there are other factors, such as the fact that I am OLDER and therefore my metabolism is slower. My first medication, Remeron, helped me to sleep, so I felt better. But I weighed the most I ever had in my life on Remeron. I learned later that it’s usually given to elderly folks for depression of course but it also helps them GAIN WEIGHT. Once I got off of that and onto another medication, I dropped five pounds.

The teleseminar was really enlightening. I’ve told my friends and fiance time and again that it is really difficult for me to lose weight…this from someone who used to be 10 pounds lighter with no effort at all. And finally I have an answer!!! What I was thinking and feeling about my weight wasn’t all just in my head. It’s TRUE: It IS difficult for me to lose weight. And the reason: my medications, which, as Jodi said, just kind of suppress my entire system.

So her solution to the problem: (And no, it’s not, don’t take meds anymore, LOL) MORE CARDIO!!! Whoop-whoop! And to take a calcium-magnesium supplement in addition to my multivitamin. Apparently that combination is a natural fat burner (no "regular" fat burners for me). And B vitamins supplement as well to help my metabolism. Like I said…the best part of all of this is to find out that I wasn’t just being neurotic about my weight but that there is actually a reason. AND it goes to show that I have to be patient and not just say, "screw it," and give it up…which is what I’ve been doing (yikes!).
I wanted to write more about show prep on here, but this post is already getting long. But briefly: I chose a show. I am no longer doing double cardio. I am no longer following the Bombshell diet of eating the same thing every day at the same time (it doesn’t make sense, and if it doesn’t make sense, I’m less likely to do it). I am reconsidering going back to Cathy Savage. I LOVE the Bombshell training. Shannon is wonderful, but it’s not fitting into my life. I need more flexibility with the cardio and nutrition, even if it means I don’t come in looking as lean as I like.

Today was day 1 of double cardio and restricted diet. Yes, I am prepping for a show, but no, I will not say which show or when. I will when I’m ready. I have a couple in mind. We’ll see what pans out. So I got my new meal plan and this was the second day that I followed it. It’s a little ridiculous in the amount of food. Ridiculous because there isn’t much food, and trying to fuel two cardio sessions AND a workout with little food–well, it isn’t working. I mean so hungry that even right after I eat, I am still hungry. That kind of hunger is just painful. I ended up coming home before my workout to have a little extra something to eat. Still clean! I emailed my trainer, so we’ll see what she says. I won’t last the remaining weeks on this little food, though. I can do 2-3 week of this, but that’s about it.

Although I’ll be living at the gym for the next few weeks, it feels better this go round than the last time I tried to prep for a show. I really admire people who can juggle a family, school, job, AND prep! I REALLY admire people who can do that. It was too overwhelming last year when I was in school.  Talk about a passion! And great support from family, too, I’m sure.