Here today, gone tomorrow!

Unfortunately that's how many of us competitors feel about our ripped "in shape" bodies.  I am one of those people right now.  I have a little over 16 weeks to prep for my first IFBB pro physique show here in Sacramento.  Honestly part of me couldn't wait to start my competition diet today and part of me wasn't quite ready to give up the cheat meals.  I've really enjoyed being able to go out to eat with my husband and kids without having to bring my own food.  Honestly its a good thing that I went ahead and got back into my competition dieting phase because my cravings have gotten a little out of control lately.  Hunger has been my enemy and my stomach issues were just making the situation worse.  I started thinking that I may as well eat if I'm looked bloated and fat anyways! 

So, starting off this week fresh, I'm physically feeling a little better and my stomach issues have gotten a little less intense.  But, mentally I've got to wrap my head around the next 4 months of dieting for this show. I just remind myself that the earlier I start dieting, the earlier I'll be ready for the show.  To me that means less cardio and more time to spend with my family and personal training clients.  Those competitors who waited too long to start their diet understand what I'm talking about when it comes to being ready early.  I refuse to be in the gym for 2 hours of cardio, starving, and brain dead just to be able to show my face on stage.  To me, that's not bringing my best package to show.  So in honor of my early start to the season, I've created some goals for myself:

1. Don't get hooked on the scale's # because it doesn't tell me the real story about what's going on with my body.

2. Do Yoga once or twice a week to help with my mental blocks and stiff muscles.  It'll lengthen, strengthen, and guide me back when my mind wants to wander off the path.

3. Give my all at each cardio session.  No half-a*%ing it!  I gotta get those calories burned asap.

4. Be good on my cruise in December!  Yep, you read that right.  I'll be competition dieting while on a week long cruise in the Caribbean...it sucks but oh well.

5. Stay true to myself and my beliefs. I am a natural competitor and am determined to stay that way. I use only natural, holistic training and nutrition principles.  They are key to my success!

There you have it.  Make your list of goals-  It will put things into perspective and create a home base for when you lose your way.

Need help with your diet or training plan?  Message me or visit www.ironaddictiontraining.com

Get me my mojo, asap!

So after looking at the 2012 contest schedule for the Pro Physique division online and I actually felt a little sick to my stomach.  While I had that familiar excitement and energy, I also had a small bout of nausea that quickly followed. I've competed on the pro level in the natural divisions, but this just seems like a totally different league.  I know that there's a possibility that I could be the only natural competitor on that stage.  And while that makes me feel good inside, it also scares the crap out of me.  I don't know much about what women in non-tested shows take to get ready for a contest but I do know that it'll probably take me twice as long to lose the same amount of fat.  That's the sacrifice that natural competitors make to look their best on stage, but I must day that it does stress me out a bit.  Gotta love those sabotaging thoughts that your mind can produce!

One of the reasons I felt a little sick to my stomach are the issues I've been having with my digestive system (to put it nicely).  I've been a bloated mess for weeks now.  I have this huge distended stomach (looking like I'm way pregnant), have terrible cramps, and awful irregularity.  So immediately I start looking for resolutions.  I ordered some probiotics and enzymes which are helping a little, but I've now had to revamp my diet to see what the culprits are (I'm guessing vegetables?). 

Needless to say that with all of these physical issues come the mental ones too.  I need to get my mojo back asap!  That March contest will be here before I know it so I decided that it's time for a fresh game plan.  The first thing I'm doing is changing up my diet.  I've gotta figure out what's bothering my stomach so the diet change is imperative.  Second thing I'm gonna do is change up my workouts. I think that giving myself a new schedule and body part split will help a lot.  The last change I'm going to make right now is my cheat day meal plan (or lack thereof).  I currently eat whatever I want on Saturdays, but feeling sick and nauseated all day is no longer cool with me.  So to remedy this I'm going to eat clean all day & pick something special for dinner.  Lets see if that will fix me up...